the Raven and Japan

Hey Friends, OK, here is my beautiful Raven and one messy small greenish blob. I'm always surprised how quick and easy these guys are to paint. Kinda like cows. I like the yellow background. I was shootin' for happy. Makes me happy!

Now this one is a happy painting too. I'm going to list it in the Daily Paintworks challenge. ALL the funds raised will go to help out in Japan. Isn't it wonderful they figured out how to set this up so quickly? David Marine is his name so go check out the site and buy something !!

Now what do ya think of this painting? You supposed to paint something that reminds you of home. These are the mountains here in SW Virginia and the Roanoke River. I painted it as if I were in the top of a very tall tree, looking over Greenhill Park, because that park is close to home. Obviously the rest is a good dream.

Happy Trails.

String Gel

Hey Friends, A little information about the painting above. 8" x 10" gallery wrapped canvas.

I used string gel along the bottom. Sorta gives it a vegetative look, don't you think? It makes me think of frog eggs. Frogs lay these long, stringy things.

This is what it looked like with the under painting finished. I like the look this rusty, burnt orange paint gives the finished piece. Kinda earthy. I have Liquitex string gel. If you haven't tried it yet, have patience. I used a straw first time and actually sucked the stuff up into the straw, thinking it would drizzle out more evenly. No, don't do it.

It just sat there - in the straw. Just use a stick or tooth pick. Have a wet brush handy to clean off the blobs, if you don't like them. Otherwise just dip the stick and drizzle anywhere you want texture or make a pattern. Like a plaid or flowers. Have fun.

Happy Trails.