Painting a flamingo ( something to paint on a difficult day)

Oh my, what strange and crazy times we are living through. I know we are all having to live with a whole new normal. I expect some of you are restricted to your homes and have no idea how long you'll be there,feeling vulnerable and isolated.Others have children at home, maybe feeling scared and fed up , or simply just bored. Some of us are worried about our livelihoods, some of us have all these worries.  It makes you think doesn't it, but I have been heartened by how communities are helping each other , friends and neighbours are connecting in other ways. I have always connected with you all virtually but that doesn't stop me from feeling I have made real friends and supporters via FB, or the internet. I hope this blog and maybe some of my other blogs may offer some support and solidarity through these difficult days. Let's be kind to each other and support people who need help. And what better to have a go at a painting on a bad news day and what better than a happy pink flamingo !!

Firstly sketch the flamingo

 

 

Now I want this to be fun, I want a splishy splashy flamingo so take out a spray bottle 

I spray the paper around the feathers. Then I mix a flamingo colour, a mixture of rose madder and cadmium orange.

Then I have fun splashing and splattering it over where I sprayed the water. This picture shows how wet the paper is ( I hope)

 

Then the droplets can merge, and create their own patterns. Don't do too heavy or use too strong colour.

 

When you are happy leave it to dry, then you can move onto the flaming proper. I paint the eye and the beak very carefully

 

I then move onto the rest of the body , look for the lights and dark tones. I use an under-painting of yellow then drop the orange /pink mixture into it

I am now painting more and more loosely , it is good fun, and all absorbing. The best way to forget about the world is to do something like this, it takes over everything, even if it goes wrong , try again, creativity is a wonderful therapy.

 

I want to paint the body loosely , let the drips and splatters tell the story, then suggest the legs and the water.

 

 

And that is my splishy splashy happy flamingo. Have a go, or have a go at another painting or drawing. Be creative and enjoy the Spring sunshine. We are definitely all in this together so although we can feel alone , remember we all feel the same, and there is a lot of kindness in the world. 

I will try to post blogs for anyone who wants to have a go at watercolours, sending everyone lots of love x