DAY 21 of 30 - NESTING CIRCLE (final version)

NESTING CIRCLE (final) by Sea Dean 

WIP

As I thought yesterday, the slight triangulation of the nest lying on a fork in the tree really helped the composition. It gave the eye something to settle on and understand, taking it from absstract and fantasy to reality.

The particular green that I’ve added to the leaves, Grumbacher Thalo Yellow Green, also gives the painting more depth. It seems garish when you’re using it and you have to have the courage to let it dry and settle, but it was a great tip learned from an artist and friend I much admire, Daniel Dearborn.  I like the softer green in the first WIP, but the final version is much more me.

30DCG2020  and ODP

DAY 20 of 30 - NESTING CIRCLE

NESTING CIRCLE by Sea Dean 12 inch diameter $125 (unmounted)

This was an experiment all the way. I had read somewhere that it was possible to mix acrylic paint with chalk paint, so I wanted to give it a go. I grabbed a round canvas board, just because it was easiest at hand. I added crackle and painted the edge so it could be hung without framing.

I will probably mount this on a hidden square birch cradle, but other options include gluing another identical canvas to the back, mounting in a needlework ring, ordering a 12” round frame, mounting onto a larger square birch cradle or mounting onto the same size round birch cradle.

Painting in the round isn’t easy; do you totally center the composition or off center it? If you off center, how do you balance the lopsidedness and how off center should you go. I remember when I first started painting on square canvas I had the same problem. I think the answer in this case is to triangulate.

30DCG2020  and ODP

Day 1 of 30 - NEST FOR THREE

NEST FOR THREE by Sea Dean

I wildly agreed to take part in another daily challenge. I always think it’s a good idea when I’m several months distant, but as it gets closer I start to panic. What am I going to paint? How am I going to fit it in? etc. etc. Nevertheless I will be taking part in the 30 Day Creative Gathering which spans the month of February.

I didnt expect to choose a theme, thinking I would just wing it, but it came to me that I love creating nests and with spring coming it’s the perfect theme. So I’m going to create all things nesty and birdy for 30 days. I may even slip in some furniture painting and progress on my latest manikins Oscar, Lucy and Monique ... Oooo La La.

To join the Facebook 30 Day Creative Gathering click here

NEST FOR THREE with FLYING HIGH both by Sea Dean

There are many ways to display my nests but my favorite is to place them in a pre-lit LED tree or any natural branches. Many in the series come with a stand for display, but occasionally a plain nest can be purchased in my artfinder shop so you can get creative. NEST FOR THREE contains three solid marble eggs and is quite large and heavy for my small tree, but you get the idea.

The oil painting pictured here is also available in my artfinder shop.

30DCG2020 - ODP