Here’s the completed ID chart for “Basilisk, Orchids, Frogs”.Only the animals are included, as I had no identification for my orchid photos. I used some common names as well as …
Finished Portrait
The final touches have been added to the basilisk and frogs, and I wanted to give you a closer look at the basilisk lizard’s portrait. I was especially pleased that …
Basilisk – front & center
Well, it’s very near completion. There is a suggestion of scales now, especially on the basilisk’s head. A bit more shading was added, as well as the details of the …
Basilisk continues
At this stage, I’m adding more shading as well as some definition of skin folds.
Basilisk takes shape
Here is the basilisk after about three layers of watercolor have been applied, allowing each to dry before the next is begun.
Main Character
The basilisk is finally getting some attention. He is the main character and focal point of the painting, and it is both a challenge and a joy to be working …
It’s not easy being green…
The frogs have received almost all the details they are going to get, except for last minute touch-ups. The large vine now has a fairly light coating of moss here …
Slight Change in Plans
I do plan ahead of time how to proceed with this type of painting, with so many realistic elements. However, the execution is an evolving journey, and sometimes I have …
Vines take form
The small, twisted vines have been painted with some shading, but in a very limited value range. I’m using only wet-in-wet technique here, to avoid too much sharp detail. I …
Frogs almost there
Every frog has now been painted except for any black areas and final details. So…this morning I finally lightly inked in all the vines. Every bit of remaining pencil sketch …
Frogs continue
I am continuing with the frogs very slowly, since it really is the most fun of all, and it seems to go more quickly than any other stage of the …
Frogs gain color
I’ve been working on the frogs for a few days now. These frogs were all chosen for their amazing colors, patterns, and in the case of the horned tree frog, …
Orchids – day 3
The orchids are pretty much done now, and I look forward to beginning on the frogs next!I may go back and touch up a few details in the orchids when …
Orchids – day 2
I am continuing to work on just the orchids. Here they are on Day 2 of adding watercolor.
First touch of color
Even though parts of the picture are still just sketched in, I’ve begun applying the first layers of watercolor to the orchids. The basilisk, orchids, and frogs are all now …
New painting: stages
I’ve decided to lightly ink in all the drawings of frogs, orchids, basilisk and vines. When that step is completed, I can go back and erase all traces of the …
Preliminary drawings for next painting
I’ve started sketching on the actual watercolor paper, and found that more thought is needed. The basilisk is well under way, but I find that the corners of the picture …
Academy of Sciences visit
I visited the Academy of Sciences today to see the new “Extreme Mammals” exhibit with my dad and niece, Amber. It was quite well done, and I learned a great …
Research for painting
I’ve begun researching frogs. Actually, I’ve now put together 12 pages of photo collages to use as reference material. Whenever possible, I include scientific names with the pictures to make …
New work in gestation
Finally, I can feel the emergence of a new painting taking form in my imagination. It has been gestating for awhile, and the elements have now become more specific in …