Firefly

[OZ]

A friend of mine, asked if I ever did the Lightening Bug or Firefly and showed this photo. I remember catching them and putting them in a glass jar, with holes punched on the lid and spending hours in wonderment. Yesterday, it hit me, lets see if we can capture that glowing element on paper. So, Joe, I'm going to give it a try.


Know your species:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly

[OZ]

Using the trusty old Light Box, traced out as much as could be seen, onto a sheet of Arches 12 x 12, 140 lb. Cold Press paper, then went back in and sketched the rest of the details. Now, to plan out the execution and figure out the complexity of the task.

[OZ]

Taped paper down to Gator board to keep the paper stretched, to reduce buckling, then went in and masked off areas, which highlights will be preserved during washes.

[OZ]

Make no mistake. These Female Bugs are beautiful, but they will attack and eat other similar species, even occasionally robbing a spider web for prey.

[Jcon]

Very cool, I am excited to see you work your skills on this one!!!

[OZ]

Don't know about the skills part, but slayed in some Permanent Orange, to give the feeling of late evenings setting sun, when these Gals start coming out. Then put down a light was of Opera for the fleshy highlights of her underbody. Then a wash of Light Yellow Green, for her glowing tail. Will let these dry, before putting in a wash of light Blue, probably Cerulian for the lighter color of the sky penetrating through the foliage.

[OZ]

After letting the Yellow Gree and Orange washes dry, put down a wash od Pthalou Blue and let it dry.

[OZ]

This will hopefully give me a good underpainting for my 3 primary colors, red, yellow and blue. Mixed a big batch of French Ultramarine and red iron oxide to make a warm gray for the background. Laid a couple pieces of Ceran Cling Wrap down on the surface and pressed out as much air as possible. Now we'll let this dry over night.

[Jcon]

Very cool!!! I remember seeing my first firefly in La Harpe, Illinois when we were visiting friends!!! So cool!!!

[OZ]

Growing up, lived in Illinois for several years and we would watch them slowly ascend upward, out of the Soy Bean fields, as the sun set.
Took the Wrap off and was left with this beautiful textured background. This will help lend the viewer more interest to the painting ( hopefully).




Now the best part can begin.

[Jcon]

That's really a cool technique!!!

[OZ]

Yes, our Class Instructor, Jan, taught us that little trick a few times in the last couple of years. It can really add a lot of different textures and always unique to the painting. I wish you could see some of her paintings first hand. Because of the COVID 19 epidemic, our Spring Show at the Library, didn't get much attendance, but there is always next year ............... we hope. I'm kinda anxious to get to work. It always helps me, when someone is watching our work and liking what we do.

[OZ]

Made some progress.

[Jcon]

I'm watching Bruce and love to see the transformation!!! I am thrilled you are doing this one on my suggestion!!!

[OZ]

You had an excellent idea and the more I looked at it, the more possibilities arose, so thank you for the suggestion and I hope you're having as much fun.