I was so inspired after my visit to this smallish but really excellent zoo, that I have painted some more studies.
I so wanted to paint the silverback but kept putting it off (lateral displacement reared it's ugly head). Then I went in with Quin, Gold and thought, you dip stick, he is a silver back, not a cowardly yellow back! I put dark colours next to his back which pushed the yellow away.
Then I used colours that Beverley Wells used in her flowers, as she got really dramatic darks with them. Winsor Violet and Winsor Green Blue, with a touch of transparent red brown (which is like light red but transparent).
I am not happy about his arm area which I should have faded out, as it isn't clear on the photograph.The colours are too blue on this pic. I am blowed if I can get accurate colours when I take a photograh!
Quick study of an elephant, nothing much to say about this.
Painted in 3 colours that you can wash out if required. Burnt Sienna, Ultra and Raw Sienna.
This, whatever it is, was a bit muted, so I washed over the top with W&N new colour transparent orange, which added a bit of zing!
I've been busy, busy, busy so time for a rest for a while. I'm going to investigate zentangles for something completely different.
Hope you have a stress free week :)
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so fun to see these fantastic animals in watercolor...bravo!
ReplyDeleteThank you Celeste, I enjoyed painting them
DeleteThese are lovely paintings. I hadn't realised Blackpool even had a zoo, lol :-)
ReplyDeleteFirst time ever been there in my long life! Worth a visit too
Deletebeau travail..bravo Polly
ReplyDeleteMerci beaucoup Isabelle
DeleteLove the transparent orange on the horned animal (what is that?) I think the silver back gorilla turned out very nice… and I love your kangaroo (or is it a wallaby?)… no zoo anywhere near me at all. I use toy animals to draw or photos taken by others sigh… not the best way to do it.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks. It's a Kangaroo - he was large, apparently a wallaby is about 2ft.
DeleteHow lucky you are to have so many Zoos to visit. Your inspired paintings are great. Nothing ventured nothing gained when playing around with colour Polly and it worked a treat for you with the Gorilla.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lorraine. Don't really agree with zoos, though they do a lot of conservation work. But who can resist painting the animals when you have seen them skin to skin
DeleteYou are very good at painting animals, Polly. I also like the previous post inspired by the zoo. Lovely fresh color washes with precise shapes but not too much detail. Beauatiful watercolors!
ReplyDeleteThanks Blaga. I am trying to do studies rather than loose painting. That will come later.
DeleteI love your zoo paintings, Polly! Beautiful washes and observations, I love hearing about the colors you use and struggles.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I do love the struggles it's part of the fun. I often wonder what colours people use so it is nice that you found it interesting
DeleteAll beautiful in their own way, but the last one is the winner , love the warm colors and that glare :-))
ReplyDeleteThanks you Jane. It's nice to know you like the one I was unsure about
DeleteI love the silverback, he looks fab. The others are pretty good too!
ReplyDeleteI love silverbacks, couldn't resist painting him. Thanks glad you like him
DeleteOh Polly that zoo certainly did inspire you. These are all great sketches. Love the colors and thank you for sharing the three that make great darks (that is always the hardest for me)! Good luck with those zentangles - I have enjoyed playing around with them as well. Lots of interesting patterns out there to be found. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie. Only just heard of zentangles, got to give them a go. Have a lovely weekend when it arrives in your part of the world
DeleteSuperb paintings Polly, especially the Silverback. Like many others, I hadn't realised Blackpool had a zoo ... we live and learn.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably not technical enough for you (beginners stuff) but we ran a thread on Zentangles in my forum a while ago .... you might want to take a look.
Thank you John. We go abroad but never know what we have on our own doorstep. And I am a beginner for Zentalingling so need all the help I can get with be delighted to have a look.
DeleteI was a bit 'busy being mother and grandmother ... but now my life is back as always.
ReplyDeleteThese sketches are alive and full of emotion ... I can see how you like it, and because you are talented to paint the animals !!!
What a lovely way to spend your time by friend!! And I am glad you can see the fun I have had painting the animals.
DeleteThank you
ReplyDelete