I haven’t given up on oils. But my last few oil sea and landscapes deflated my confidence so I decided to go back to my acrylic comfort zone for one painting. I have taken hundreds of photos of my favorite bird, the Hummingbird, and it has been on my painting wish list for years, so I decided to give it a go in acrylic - I imagine oils would end up for me, being mud. But I will get back to the oils and keep trying. This is a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird sporting his ruby gorget in the Firecracker flowers. Reference photo below in “additional photos”.
Thank you so much, Sandy!
You are really good at little birds. It really doesn't matter what paint you use to get the results you want, the main thing is to enjoy the process. But don't give up on oils, they're new to you, it takes a while. Sometimes, the type of paint isn't the reason you're unhappy with the end result, it's often something simple as not getting your angles quite right, or not applying enough paint, or too much paint, or having your paint too thick or too thin while you are layering it up. It's quite a task, like juggling for the first time, but you do get better at it. Anyway, I like your work. Love the humming bird. Can you do a kingfisher?
Thank you so much Helen! I think you are right. There are so many factors like paint consistency and angles, using the right brush, or technique. And then my Parkinson’s makes things difficult with unsteady hands, and the angles - it is a “brain” thing.. I do think sometimes my canvas is too wet. I am going to try on my next painting, wiping off some of the liquid white to make sure I don’t have too much and see if that helps! I have never tried a Kingfisher. I have taken thousands of photos and that is one I don’t see much of around here… I could try to find a photo and try one.
Yes, if you start off with your canvas too wet it can cause you problems. You cope really well with detail, nobody would guess you have parkinsons.
Thank you, Helen. My husband fashioned a homemade mahl stick to rest my hand on, and that helps a LOT. But I can look back on paintings from 10 years ago and then look at now, and I can see the difference. But that’s ok, I enjoy painting so I am not gonna stop!
Lovely!!
Thank you, StephieRae!
Very nice.
Thanks so much, Rebecca!
Looks great!....The only bird that can fly backwards
Thank you, Terry! Yes! and float, still, in mid air! Amazing little creatures!
Such a beautiful painting, I love the colors! Fantastic job!!
Thank you so much, Chris!
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Gorgeous hummingbird!