5. MORE SCALES

75 scales, 3 cups of tea and a cheese roll later.

4. STARTING TO ADD THE DETAIL

Just starting to add scales now. Very fiddly and time consuming. This is where I'm glad I didn't do a larger piece. At this point normally I start doubting myself. It's difficult to carry on until I reach a point where I can see it all coming together. Not quite there yet.

This is the no-mans land stage of painting.

Be back soon. need food.

3. FIRST GOUACHE COLOUR WASH

Just a wash- Gouache is opaque unlike watercolour so I've kept it quite thin so that I can still see a feint pencil line through. This keeps me from losing track at an early stage. He's not too handsome at the moment- you wouldn't want to take him to meet your mother just yet would you?

2. INITIAL DRAWING

I really must get some heavier paper. Slightly ripped it again in the paper stretching process but this painting is quite small- just under A4- so hopefully wont notice :-/

Outline drawing done. I've kept this simple so that I've a chance of completing it today.

LIVE ART BLOG - FOR ART EVOLVED- 1. PRELIMINARY -CAMARASAURUS HEAD

It's 10 in the morning here in England and my first Live Art post for ART Evolved is my working sketches that I scribbled earlier this week. I generally read around the subject and gather info on the skull/skeleton which helps determine shape and contours. Habitat and dietary details all help with gaining an insight into colouring of skin, hair etc. and dental shaping. I've not made my mind up yet about colours so will be experimenting today. Will keep you updated.

I'm off now to stretch my paper- always a anxious affair... and work on the drawing ( Gonna grab some breakfast too ) Next post -coming sooooon.

Cetiosaurus oxoniensis

Working preliminary drawing for the next Art Evolved gallery- Sauropods- This large beast roamed the mudflats of Oxfordshire, England at the end of the Jurassic.

Hurdia & Aysheaia

Not my best piece of work but the cause of the most interesting research I've undertaken in a long time. Instigated by the Art Evolved Anomalocaridid gallery, I've been sucked in by these Cambrian creatures. Fascinatingly diverse and more complex than I ever imagined.
I've tried to mix arty background techniques with scientific accuracy in the creatures and it hasn't really worked. Too fussy and the compostion doesnt work at all. Hay ho- the first a many Cambrian- Burgess Shale works though. .never give in....