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Painting an elephant

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IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Some time ago a posted a sketch of an elephant, and said bst the time I thought it could make a nice painting. Having looked at some photos of elephants recently I decided to paint my sketch. A couple of years ago I was bought a iPad for birthday present from the family. I use it a lot to look at things on line , read the news etc and over the last year I have used it to take photos of the different stages of a painting. I find this useful as I can sit back away from the painting and look at it whilst relaxing. Using the built in photo editor I can lighten or darken the painting, this helps a lot with the tone etc, and I notice areas that need a bit more development or total change. Whilst sharing the photos of the elephant painting  with a friend, I thought about doing it as a WIP warts and all. So after this long boring intro here it is. The sketch I’m going to paint. Initial sketch with some base colours. I like to add some shading as it seems to lift the sketch and it doesn’t look so flat

Denise Cat

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I think it is such a beautiful sketch, it will be very interesting watching it develop Paul.
IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Thanks Denise, I’ve added a bit more colour and tried to build up the structure of the head, I have posted two view , so that it can be seen  at different distances.
IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Added details around the eye and mouth and more colour. Paint colours used are Payne’s Grey, Alizarin Crimson Hue, Yellow Ochre and new brown paint  Sepia Hue that I’ve not used before. Colours added by layers hen dry or whendamp , occasionally blend colours such as AC and PG for shadow areas. Again two different views posted

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by Paul (Dixie) Dean

IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Silly me fiddled with the trunk when the light was poor and did to much detail. Re wet the area and dabbed off the paint with a tissue. This  morning did it the way I wanted and should have done first time. Do we ever learn to leave alone and not fiddle.

Linda Drury

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Posted
Great work so far Paul. Looks like you have managed to save the trunk nicely!!
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Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Thanks Linda, it would have made the whole painting to dark had I continued. I’m pleased with how it’s looking so far, must remember not to fiddle.
IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Almost done, needs a bit more work on the trunk and the ear, just added a faint background. I want it to be light coloured and I’m ok with it at the moment but will look at it again tomorrow as the light is very poor today , dull and drizzled.

Denise Cat

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I think It's looking great Paul and the eyes look so gentle. It's been interesting watching it coming along.

Hilary Pearce

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Posted
Great progress on your elephant Paul, lovely soft colours
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Alan Beresford

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Posted
Great little series Dixie, you show great affection for your subjects.
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Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Thank you Hillary and Alan , I wanted it to be soft colours despite elephants been so big. I did not realise how fond I was of elephants till I sketched and painted a few, then what’s not to like about them. I have the bug to paint some more elephants and a few other wild animals.
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