Rufus Hummingbird on Aqua Black

[OZ]

Been wanting to try out the fairly new Legion/ Stonehenge Aqua Black Paper. It's cotton 140 # Cold press from a 22 x 30 sheet, sized down to about 10 x 10. Also wanted to try some of Daniel Smiths Duochrome and iridescent shades of paint. In order to show values, will also be trying out my M. Graham Gouache set for the first time. This is all new to me, so maybe you can learn by some of my mistakes or get your own ideas of how to use these materials. I also have synthetic brushes for gouache paints and will not use my watercolor brushes for its use. Lets have some fun. Here is my reference photo, which was traced onto paper, then took a Watercolor pencil to sketch under the drawing to put it on the Black Paper.



After tracing the basic shapes, to keep the Hummer in perspective, then went back in and sketched more of the details in the head, breast, back, tail and primary feathers.




Here are the paints I'll be using.

[OZ]

Reference photo.

[Jcon]

Rufus are the honery one in the bunch but so pretty! They love chasing the other hummers away from the feeder!

[OZ]

Yes, they are very aggressive and easily take over a Feeder Station. Their iridescent feathers are what I'm going for here on the black paper. Thanks for stopping in Joe.This may require some negative painting, in that the darks are already there. Presents a few new challenges, for me at least.

[Dee]

Cant wait to see this one come alive! Thanks for all the background info on what you are using. I havent tried the black paper yet either.

[OZ]

Good to have you here Dee. Maybe this will inspire you to give it a try some time.Hoping to be able to spend a little time on this one, this week end. The worst I could do is mess up.

[OZ]

Set up the pallets and brushes in preparation for base washes.





After an hour or so.

[OZ]

So far.

[Jcon]

Good looking bird! Why the green though when he is a rusty brown? Is that to get the undertones? Newby dumb question there probably but trying to figure out the layering you do... Thanks for your patience with me!

[OZ]

To answer your question, when the sun hits them in their mating colors, there are a lot of iridescent greens, which show up. The rest is me trying to mix opaque colors, using just primaries. Here's the final shot of this experiment. This was my first time ever using the gouache and Aqua Black paper. Definitely had fun doing this one and will do more. The photo is the best reference, not my painting.



PS. While taking the Drafting tape off around the boarder, it took a bunch of the Black paper with it. Must remember to use different tape next time.

[Dee]

OMG, Bruce - that is FABULOUS!!!! The irridescence is so striking against the black backgound. I need to dust off my supplies and get to painting again!

[Jcon]

Thanks Bruce, I knew you would get it there, just wondering how!!! Now I see!!! Excellent as always my friend!!!

[OZ]

Thanks Dee and Joe for following along and participating. It's a lot more fun sharing art this way. I can do better. Hope to try this one a few more times, with maybe different subjects. Need to start getting in the mind set of a Plein Air Hood Canal Marina venture. Going to try and bring several Blues and Greens with me in Mini-Pallets ( Etcher and Big Impact minis.) and a Journal style paint books with cotton paper. Maybe a B4 size journal. Say that fast 5 times. Also want to try out my Arches 140 lb., Hot Press, 5.9 x 11.8 Block paper. We should have lots of boats at the Pier and the Mountains in the back ground.

[Karen]

Bruce this is perfect on that black paper. Phenomenal!

[OZ]

Thanks Karen. Thanks for dropping by. It was fun to experiment with Duochrome and Iridescent paints. I'm not very good at mixing Gouache paints either, but good practice.