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Beginnings – Otters Painted In Miniature

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This is a painting that I was requested to paint of two otters.  This is the beginnings of the fur texture being put into place with many fine, delicate strokes.  (…this is actually one of my favorite parts of a painting – the very beginning and seeing all of the textures begin to develop.)  I love to bring out the finest details in the faces of the animals (or focal points of my floral pieces) with the lightest strokes. :D

In miniature painting, some artists use such fine strokes that they are only seen by magnifying glass, while others use more visible strokes in their pieces that are best not viewed under magnification and carry well from a distance, as observed by a Swiss miniature art expert.

The First Marks

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This is the beginnings of the black leopard miniature painting with the initial rendering of the fur.  (The sketch post can be seen here.)  There is much more to do on the piece of course, but the feel of the fur texture is in place. 

I am eager to begin painting the soft subtle tones of color reflected in the fur and eyes – the contrast of the look of intensity of the cat and the delicate shades I will add in watercolor.

Plans for a Black Leopard

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his is the beginnings of a drawing for another piece I have in the works. I was requested to paint an aggressive pose of a black leopard as a smaller miniature, so this is a 5x7 of a leopard ready for an attack.

This is the beginnings of a drawing for another miniature watercolor piece I have in the works.  I was requested to paint a more aggressive pose of a black leopard as a smaller miniature, so this is a 5×7 of a leopard ready for an attack. 

The subject of the painting is a cat that, though he was in captivity, he was very intent on stalking my sister.  (Which was odd, because I am usually the one who is stalked. :? )  So…  it was a nice opportunity to gather some wonderful references of a very intense cat. :) He was absolutely beautiful.  I hope to do him justice in the painting. :D

Chipmunk Miniature Watercolor

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This is a little miniature I'm working on as well. It's a chipmunk that I saw while I was out in Wyoming this fall. There were two of them that were scavenging around a park area. They were fairly used to being around humans, so they did come up fairly close - was very interesting to watch them. (My family had a hard time dragging me away from them... :? )

This is a little miniature I’m working on as well.  It’s a chipmunk that I saw while I was out in Wyoming this fall.  There were two of them that were scavenging around a park area.  They were fairly used to being around humans, so they did come up fairly close – was very interesting to watch them.  (My family had a hard time dragging me away from them… :? )

Nature in Miniature – Flemish Miniature Paintings

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I thought that I would post a little of my inspiration. :D

Traditional Miniature Painting - Watercolor on Vellum - Dragonfly - circa 1600

Traditional Miniature Painting - Watercolor on Vellum - Butterfly - circa 1600I do quite a bit of digging around researching earlier miniature art through various different sources.  The art of miniature painting has so many different facets to it and connected to so many cultures.  Seeing so much that has come before me is very inspiring in my own painting.

These are a few Flemish miniature paintings of nature subjects from around 1600.  They are stunningly intricate and delicate.  I find them absolutely beautiful and so inspiring.  They are painted in watercolors on vellum in much the same way that I paint my work. 

Traditional Miniature Painting - Watercolor on Vellum - Damselfly - circa 1600I think I find them particularly fascinating because my painting methods originated with my studies a number of years ago with a Flemish artist who also paints nature like this.  He had studied it in his native country.  It is rooted deeply in their culture.  …and continues today.

Miniature paintings, like these, show wildlife art being carefully depicted by artists who also shared a connection with nature 400 years ago. :D

Traditional Miniature Painting - Watercolor on Vellum - circa 1600

Defensive – Wolf Watercolor Miniature

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This is a new miniature I am working on.  This is a 9×12 painting of a wolf – very soft tones in this piece.  I liked the more unusual pose of him, his ears back, makes the piece more unique and helps give a deeper story to the painting with the animal’s behavior (a defensive posture, perhaps a little unsure of his environment).  So far, this piece has progressed very quickly. :D

Wolf Study – Original Drypoint Intaglio Engraving

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This is a small original print I just completed.
It is printed with umber ink on cream Canson.

Mammoth Miniature Painting

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I like to keep my painting experience interesting.  In traditional miniature painting, there are a lot of different surfaces recommended for artists to paint on – one of them is antique ivory.  It, and ivory substitutes that have been made, are very luminous and help the artist create more ambiance in their paintings. 

I started a painting on mammoth ivory (I’ve added a couple of photos of the surface as it comes prepared for painting).  I started the piece several months ago, but had to set it aside for a bit due to other commitments.  The pieces of tusk are sliced very thin for the miniature artist.  I will post the progress of the painting itself soon. :D

Red Fox Commission Completed

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I just put the finishing touches on my red fox kit commission. :D It is now off to the framer’s for a little dressing up.

Turtle Jam Tour

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I was very pleased to hear that my handheld miniature, “Turtle Jam”, will be a part of the Society of Animal Artists national museum tour.  The painting was in the SAA’s 47th exhibition that opened at the Wildlife Experience Museum in Parker, Colorado.  The touring exhibit will be making stops around the country during 2007 and 2008.

The painting is painted in watercolor like most of my other work and measures about 3” x 8”.