I am growing quite attached to this elephant - I think that happens when I spend so much time thinking, planning, and then working on a painting.
The top picture is the second stage of this painting. (See the 1st stage - the pouring of colors technique- here.) Most of the masquing fluid has been removed. I have painted a glaze of Raw Sienna over most of the head, and in some areas a second glaze has been added to deepen the glow of reflected light.
The bottom picture shows how this painting is being developed. I have chosen to show you just a part of the full painting as it looks rather odd right now with some of it with some detail, some with no detail, and some with shading, some without. As you can see, the tusk is still masked, as I want it to remain white until I deal with it at the end of this whole process. I am really happy with how the shadows are developing as full of depth, yet still filled with light. I will continue to post this big boy until he is done. As I wait for sections to dry, I am also working on other pieces, so I will post some of them next week as well.
While working on this elephant, trying to create an atmosphere of heat, it occurs to me that our weather could not possibly be further from an African Safari - we have light snow with a big wind which has the temperature at a cool minus 27 degrees Celsius. My husband and I were planning on making a trip to Saskatchewan on Saturday, but I think that will have to wait until the weather cooperates. It is just too cold!
Hope you all have a great weekend! I'll be cuddled in front of the fireplace with a new book and a cup of my favorite tea ... Mighty Leaf's "African Nectar"!
