One post a week is too few. I hope to be starting work on a story book spread about a "Fearsome Beastie" with the author of 'Bathrrom Lion' which we will then pitch to whoever will look at it. As soon as I have any sketches dear blog...!
Here's a woodpecker painting I worked on over the weekend as an alternative to a birthday card for my dad. A greater spotted woodpecker has been hanging round my folk's garden so I thought why not. I don't know if I'm on a downer about my work of late but even after two versions I still haven't quite got the feel I was looking for. So many, many woodpeckers...what's the collective noun...? A 'splinter' of woodpeckers...a "rat-a-tat-tat"...a "percussion'...? Answers if you please... The more stylised top painting is my final version. I was vaguely aiming for a Charlie Harper feel (not that I could ever come close to his characterful abstractions. He really knew his birds and animals), but I feel mine lacks a spark. It is a woodpecker though so I guess it fits the bill OK. It was a chance to experiment with acrylics though, something I've not done in years. I was pleasantly surprised at how nicely they behaved in comparison to gouache. Like all my recent paintings I'm still frustrated by the colour matching though. My digital roughs seem to undergo a change for good and bad when I move into paint. Hopefully it will come with time. Onward. A fearsome beastie asap...!
9 comments:
these are beautiful, I was going to say that it reminds me of Harper's work in a positive way!
This is beautiful man, I really like the colors and shapes in the final top one. I also admire Charley Harper's work (ordered his amazing book recently), but I have to disagree when you say that yours lacks a spark. I have the feeling this nice woodpecker is smiling a little bit :)
Yeah, the top one is a bit more refined isn't it.
I like the paint marks on the wing.
They make a really nice set as well actually, lots of nice little variations :)
wrote my last post and thought of you...
I love all the shapes that you are comin out with and the wonderful colours!
How are you Matt? :) Long time no news :)
you know, matt...even tho you were shooting for ol' charlie harper, i think you found something new and fresh in the transformation, um, the mutation btw you and he, and then acrylic to digi colors. i really like your version. it has a great toothiness to it...i love the texture. i think he's great. :) and spooky, so spooky. i'm working on a book where a woodpecker appears, but he's kind of malicious little guy! he sort of wakes up a witch, who's sleeping and, it's not even october and... :)
i'll havta come back to see the beastie spread! ")
and btw...
This is seriously beautiful work.
wow its a wonderful work... its really superb paint nice post thanks for sharing.... :)
stunning work! I wonder why DC comics didn't hire you!
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