Sun Conure (Parakeet) in Watercolor

[Joy]

This is a sun conure, in watercolor, on Arches 140 CP, about 8 x 10. The only colors used were three primaries - Arylide Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, and Thalo Blue. This was also posted in the Wildlife Challenge thread, as I actually like what I did. (A rarity!)

 

[Jade]

I am glad you're proud of this Joy. It's wonderful. Extra impressive with the limited palette too

 

[Balaji]

Wow! This is superb in every respect.

 

[Enyaw]

You own that one.

 

[Donna T]

Stunning!

 

[Sanlynn]

You should be proud!!! Beautiful work.

 

[snoball]

Oh this little guy is wonderful, so well painted!

 

[Joy]

Oh, thank you all so very much. I am my own worst critic, but I welcome any input or suggestions.

 

[bethany]

Love this!

 

[john]

Wowzer! Great job Joy!

 

[Jo Castillo]

Mmmmm, mmm. A beautiful bird. Applause.

 

[Grapes]

Joy, this bird is excellent! I'm looking over and over again noticing interesting elements how you made him so alive with color and technique. I'm happy you posted this gorgeous painting also on it's own thread!

 

[Jade]

Oh, thank you all so very much. I am my own worst critic, but I welcome any input or suggestions.

Keep doing what you're doing Joy - that's my suggestion

 

[Enyaw]

Oh, thank you all so very much. I am my own worst critic, but I welcome any input

To improve upon what you have, your dark shadow feathers don’t read as shadows. They don’t recede into but sit on top. Not a deal maker unless you are a perfectionist.

 

[Joy]

To improve upon what you have, your dark shadow feathers don’t read as shadows. They don’t recede into but sit on top. Not a deal maker unless you are a perfectionist.

Thank you for the help, as I was looking at that also. How could that be rectified? Possibly softening the periphery of the shadows?

 

[Enyaw]

Joy... the original photo has lighter shadows and they have gradients of other colors rather than pure bands of darkness .. I have never used watercolor so I would not know how to fix it .. I just know how it reads to my eyes. Yes, softening the edges should help as well .. have a good look at the photo and you will see the gradients and the lighter values. I don't know that I would mess with it .. it is a fine piece as is. I think I would just store it for future use.

 

[Joy]

Joy... the original photo has lighter shadows and they have gradients of other colors rather than pure bands of darkness .. I have never used watercolor so I would not know how to fix it .. I just know how it reads to my eyes. Yes, softening the edges should help as well .. have a good look at the photo and you will see the gradients and the lighter values. I don't know that I would mess with it .. it is a fine piece as is. I think I would just store it for future use.

This is why I participate in art forums - to learn. Also, the values and colors of my paintings always seem different on the screen. The values look to me darker than in the painting, and the paper is Arches bright white but appears to have a slight tint on my monitor. Thanks ever so much for taking the time to comment and offer sage advice.

 

[Enyaw]

Yes, colors from the iPad to the pc are different and from a painting even more. I’m just a hobby artist and my brain knows much more than my ability but it’s nice when one can offer a slight insight as I always find that reaching to help someone always teaches me at the same time. I only noticed the lack of depth in the shadows as someone pointed that out to me in one of my florals. Value and atmosphere hold the keys to human sight. A little atmosphere in the right place does more than an hour of detail. We need to understand how we see and replicate that over the object. The eye finishes much more than the artist. You have already noticed one of the mysteries in the fact that you adopted a limited palette. I enjoy your work as I enjoy the fact you put time and effort into getting better.

 

[Jade]

Thank you Joy and Wayne for this discussion, very useful.

 

[LizC]

The painting looks absolutely stunning!