Barn Owl - before the dreaded background

Another lovely piece, Glennis. You've reall captured the feel of the soft downy feathers of the owl

Oh Lor' - this is such a shame, because (and I do try to be frank now and then!), this version is so much better: as I believe you know all too well... All this needed, if it needed anything, was a lightly, loosely painted/drawn background. Still, how did you do the "awful background"? You could always work pastel over it to obliterate the darks ... I think it would be worth it (or failing that, cutting the owl and bough out, and making a collage of it on a pre-painted background). It would be a real loss if you felt you had to sacrifice this very good painting because the background hadn't worked out. Best of luck with it.

Thank you for your comments. Robert - I put a pastel background, that in itself was messy as it wasn't pastel pencil. No i shall have to have another go at it sometime, it won't beat me. I hate backgrounds or the thought of applying them!

I feel your pain! I do too (hate backgrounds) - but then I start with the background and integrate it into the painting, when I work in this sort of method; it saves that awful problem when you've got a good painting and just don't know what to set it against. The consolation here must be this: you've done it once: you can therefore do it again. To sacrifice a painting as good as this because you had a problem with the background, though, is just awful - don't take to drink, Glennis! I bet I would..... We have barn owls, which have just brought off another chick, in part of our derelict house on a landslip (think of the House of Shaws, in R L Stevenson's Kidnapped!); they think it's Spring, and I just hope the bird is weaned and able to take care of itself before Winter sets in. So I've seen quite a few of these birds in the last few years, and this painting represents them well. In flight, they seem to be pure white - but you've caught the delicate mottling on the upper parts of the body so beautifully - you just must do it again, if you can't save this one.

Robert - again thank you for your constructive comments on my paintings. I will do it again at some stage, don't worry it won't drive me to drink - i don't. I do hope your young owl is able to take care of itself before the winter sets in.

Yes, do please try FINISHING a very loose, sketchy background before you start on your wonderful birds!