I have tried watercolors a couple times, and although I get a little better each time, I am having trouble taming the wild beast that is the behavior of the color in the water. It seems to have a mind of its own. While I'm sure there are a lot of consistencies with it, I have not yet figured those out!
I love your owls! Owls are some of my very favorite birds (I like pretty much all birds of prey), and I think you captured their essence perfectly! Thank you so much for sharing!
I loved your discussion about the use of white in watercolors. It's interesting that the watercolor purists insist that its use is a huge no-no.
This past summer, I took a non-credit art class in colored pencil techniques. Turns out, with colored pencils, it's pretty much the opposite: You start your blending with a base layer of white, and you should hardly ever be using black.
Apparently, layering with a base of white "essentially 'prep[s]' the paper to accept the colored pencils more easily ... [by] fill[ing] in the tiny grooves and valleys of the paper, creating a smoother surface." (Quote from this link, where he explains in much more detail about the usefulness of both the white base layer and the white colored pencil:
Btw, I absolutely adore your portrait of Sassafras. Indeed, it's so appealing that I think you should contact the Zoo about working with them to license prints/postcards of this little buddy. Honestly, I think he would go viral, much like Rocky, the saw-whet owl that was rescued from the Rockefeller Christmas tree back in 2020.
Thanks so much, I'm so glad you enjoyed my post and Sassafras, in particular! White is such an interesting color to paint with in general. If you like colored pencils, you might enjoy Julie Podstolski's blog, if you haven't stumbled upon it so far. She has a wonderful post on white here: https://juliepodstolski.wordpress.com/2019/09/12/undercover-white/ I think she does amazing work and I'm a huge fan.
I’m so glad you liked my paintings and took the time to let me know… Thanks so much! 😄🦉I love barn owls and wish we saw them around here. You’re so lucky!
What a delightful read! You are a gifted writer as well as a gifted painter! Your owls are amazing! I loved hearing about your use of white watercolor! I want to buy some now! The Neocolor II are something else I keep thinking about since discovering you! Oh my! Did you ever think of yourself as an influencer?!
Thanks very much, Candy! That’s so uplifting to hear… I really appreciate it. This is my fourth post so I’m definitely not an influencer in the way social media defines it but I think we as artists are often… enablers when it comes buying to art supplies. 😂 I’m trying hard to rein in the habit, though!
My parents knew a lady who used to paint similar renderings but on driftwood. I can still see them in my mind to the day. Mom took a page from Midge’s book, and started painting her own earrings, and also tried a few attempts on driftwood as well. Summer evenings my folks would take me down to the river and I’d play on the bank while mom scoured for something suitable.
Those were the day when my parents rented at a place called Kirkside. Dad was trying to start up his business out east so we could move from Chicago. I was 4-5 at the time.
Your paintings triggered those memories. I really love your art.
The stories I receive in return for sharing my art are the best gifts I could ask for… thank you so much. For a moment, you let me sit beside you and remember the world as it was through your eyes. 💕
Your bird friends are phenomenal, Jean. One of my fondest memories of my childhood visits to my grandparents' house in Council Grove, Kansas is of settling down for the night and being able to listen to the Barred Owls calling “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” They are lovely birds, monogamous and home-loving; they tend to remain in a 6-mile radius of their home for life.
Thanks so much! That is a lovely memory. I had to go find recordings of barred owl calls… it’s amazing how unique the vocalizations are for each species.
Spent about a minute with an owl flying above me while hiking a ridge line on the Montana/Idaho border last weekend. Thought it was a hawk at first, given the elevation and topography, but it’s face and wing shape definitely looked owlish. Mostly white and grey, with dark bands on underside of wings. Failed to identify later at home after googling Owls Of Montana. Maybe should have tried Owls Of Idaho. Ha.
Know of any online guides that show owls in flight from an on-the-ground perspective?
I really like Ghost of the Forest and appreciate your commentary. Thanks.
Thanks so much! I wonder if it could’ve been a northern harrier hawk… they have flatter, more owl-like heads. I sometimes use the Merlin Bird ID app by Cornell Labs. Most of the birds have multiple photos at various angles.
Thank you. I’ll check out that app. Northern harrier might be a good bet, based on what I just read about the adult male: sometimes called the grey ghost because of his striking plumage and SPECTRAL AURA. Nice! This bird definitely had that going on, and the phrasing ties in nicely with your depiction of the ghost of the forest, even if he wasn’t an owl. Fun stuff!
The backlit perspective gives it an otherworldly dimension, but especially the continuation of the green wash through background and subject, like he's gliding between two worlds at once
Love your artwork of these magnificent beings!
Thank you so much! 😊🦉🦉🦉
I have tried watercolors a couple times, and although I get a little better each time, I am having trouble taming the wild beast that is the behavior of the color in the water. It seems to have a mind of its own. While I'm sure there are a lot of consistencies with it, I have not yet figured those out!
I love your owls! Owls are some of my very favorite birds (I like pretty much all birds of prey), and I think you captured their essence perfectly! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you!!! 😊 🦉 Water control does take some practice but it seems you’re on the right track. The learning never stops!
I loved your discussion about the use of white in watercolors. It's interesting that the watercolor purists insist that its use is a huge no-no.
This past summer, I took a non-credit art class in colored pencil techniques. Turns out, with colored pencils, it's pretty much the opposite: You start your blending with a base layer of white, and you should hardly ever be using black.
Apparently, layering with a base of white "essentially 'prep[s]' the paper to accept the colored pencils more easily ... [by] fill[ing] in the tiny grooves and valleys of the paper, creating a smoother surface." (Quote from this link, where he explains in much more detail about the usefulness of both the white base layer and the white colored pencil:
https://luukminkman.com/en/blog/how-to-use-the-white-colored-pencil/ )
Btw, I absolutely adore your portrait of Sassafras. Indeed, it's so appealing that I think you should contact the Zoo about working with them to license prints/postcards of this little buddy. Honestly, I think he would go viral, much like Rocky, the saw-whet owl that was rescued from the Rockefeller Christmas tree back in 2020.
Thanks so much, I'm so glad you enjoyed my post and Sassafras, in particular! White is such an interesting color to paint with in general. If you like colored pencils, you might enjoy Julie Podstolski's blog, if you haven't stumbled upon it so far. She has a wonderful post on white here: https://juliepodstolski.wordpress.com/2019/09/12/undercover-white/ I think she does amazing work and I'm a huge fan.
I enjoyed the way you described your art , aswell as the art, I especially liked the owl with the worm , such character that makes the viewer smile
Thank you so much! 😊🦉 I really enjoy the writing aspect, too.
Fabulous work, and I ordered those Neocolour ll Crayons, still to use them as I can’t be in the art room at present.
Thank you! 😊 I really hope you enjoy the Neocolors… they’re also fun to use dry in a sketchbook.
What a delightful rabbit hole to have fallen into. Thank you, Jean.
I'm glad you found your way here! 😊 Thanks so much for reading!
Me too.
Your art brought joy to me today, thank you.
I also loved how you 'broke the rules' before you even knew about them.
I also love owls and we often see a barn owl where we live now (although not for a while!). I'm in awe every time, I feel very privileged to see it.
I’m so glad you liked my paintings and took the time to let me know… Thanks so much! 😄🦉I love barn owls and wish we saw them around here. You’re so lucky!
Amazing. The Screech owl! Can almost feel the fluffy feathers and those huge, shiny black eyes staring at me!
You're such a gifted water colourist! To me- the hardest medium to master!
Thank you so much! 🦉😊 Watercolor is quite unique among paints… it has so many different facets to explore. I will always come back to it.
I love your art eye and how you can translate it into words, not to mention in your work!!! Beautiful!
Thank you so much! What a lovely compliment to receive. 😊
What a delightful read! You are a gifted writer as well as a gifted painter! Your owls are amazing! I loved hearing about your use of white watercolor! I want to buy some now! The Neocolor II are something else I keep thinking about since discovering you! Oh my! Did you ever think of yourself as an influencer?!
Thanks very much, Candy! That’s so uplifting to hear… I really appreciate it. This is my fourth post so I’m definitely not an influencer in the way social media defines it but I think we as artists are often… enablers when it comes buying to art supplies. 😂 I’m trying hard to rein in the habit, though!
My parents knew a lady who used to paint similar renderings but on driftwood. I can still see them in my mind to the day. Mom took a page from Midge’s book, and started painting her own earrings, and also tried a few attempts on driftwood as well. Summer evenings my folks would take me down to the river and I’d play on the bank while mom scoured for something suitable.
Those were the day when my parents rented at a place called Kirkside. Dad was trying to start up his business out east so we could move from Chicago. I was 4-5 at the time.
Your paintings triggered those memories. I really love your art.
The stories I receive in return for sharing my art are the best gifts I could ask for… thank you so much. For a moment, you let me sit beside you and remember the world as it was through your eyes. 💕
I may just put something together and send to you.
Your bird friends are phenomenal, Jean. One of my fondest memories of my childhood visits to my grandparents' house in Council Grove, Kansas is of settling down for the night and being able to listen to the Barred Owls calling “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” They are lovely birds, monogamous and home-loving; they tend to remain in a 6-mile radius of their home for life.
Thanks so much! That is a lovely memory. I had to go find recordings of barred owl calls… it’s amazing how unique the vocalizations are for each species.
Spent about a minute with an owl flying above me while hiking a ridge line on the Montana/Idaho border last weekend. Thought it was a hawk at first, given the elevation and topography, but it’s face and wing shape definitely looked owlish. Mostly white and grey, with dark bands on underside of wings. Failed to identify later at home after googling Owls Of Montana. Maybe should have tried Owls Of Idaho. Ha.
Know of any online guides that show owls in flight from an on-the-ground perspective?
I really like Ghost of the Forest and appreciate your commentary. Thanks.
Thanks so much! I wonder if it could’ve been a northern harrier hawk… they have flatter, more owl-like heads. I sometimes use the Merlin Bird ID app by Cornell Labs. Most of the birds have multiple photos at various angles.
Thank you. I’ll check out that app. Northern harrier might be a good bet, based on what I just read about the adult male: sometimes called the grey ghost because of his striking plumage and SPECTRAL AURA. Nice! This bird definitely had that going on, and the phrasing ties in nicely with your depiction of the ghost of the forest, even if he wasn’t an owl. Fun stuff!
Nice, indeed! Harrier hawks are beautiful birds, and if that’s what you saw, you’re really lucky! 😀
Sassafras is just delightful! I love the reflection in his eyes. I think you’ve done an amazing job. Can’t wait to see the next owl ☺️
Thanks, I really appreciate it! 😊 I had so much fun painting Sassafras.
Beautiful work Jean!
Thank you so much, Sandra!
I love the first one the most, is magical
Thanks so much! (It’s my favorite, too. 😊)
I agree
The backlit perspective gives it an otherworldly dimension, but especially the continuation of the green wash through background and subject, like he's gliding between two worlds at once
That was a beautiful description! Thank you so much! 🦉