Balancing Act

I was surprised at this one . I agree the fur could do with a little more texture, but the subject I love, as you know, and you have done a very good painting. Love the background against the berries. Nice one Michael

Thanks Glennis you are very kind - oh dear I feel awful now - didn't mean to sound critical of this style or subject. Perhaps I should have added that despite the tutors recommendations I refused to use masking fluid - hate the stuff - might have been better if I had!

This is so unusual for you Michael but I rather like it. Like Glennis says the granulation in the background really shows up the berries and mouse. And I love it's little ear LOL Have you tried Pebeo Drawing Gum, their name for masking fluid? It's the best one I've tried so far, though, like you, I try and do without it whenever I can.

I think this is really striking, Michael, and a lovely combination and depth of colour. And as Val has said above, the granulation is put to good effect. What did you use to create the black outline around the berries and twig and mouse posterior and tail? It really makes the subject stand out.

I was surprised too. Lovely painting Michael, nice palette colours

ABSOLUTELY not old fashioned or twee, Michael! A surprising subject, but I recognized the clear and luminous washes as yours instantly, Good art never goes out of fashion! I love it!

Yes, Michael, I had to look and see which Michael this was posted by - and was surprised it was yours- but then again there's so much skill in this I shouldn't have been surprised. The berries are lovely against that background, and as you say it's always good to be in the role of student and learn from someone else. Thanks too, for your response to my question about whether you use a photo as well as the sketch. I've just discovered, in a bit of a hit and miss method, that putting the original photo away once I've sketched out the subject is a good idea; I also found myself getting very bogged down with detail with the photo in front of me and that's not a good thing, for me, at least.

Yes, a surprise but a delightful surprise Michael. I love the subject and your rendition of it, especially the background wash.

Same as the others, I assumed that it was some other Michael! He's so cute, not twee or old fashioned at all! I love the fact that you've used such strong colour here, a change of palette which works extremely well.

I love the subject also and the colours are really effective.

Very nice work Michael, congratulations on painting something a little different.

Thanks for all your kind comments everyone - I guess this was a bit of a one-off but I enjoyed it nevertheless. Anne - the outlines surrounding the mouse etc were gained by simply overlapping the washes plus a bit of sepia pen here and there.

Thanks for that info, Michael......you make it sound so simple! Extremely effective though, makes the image really stand out from the page. Once again, a lovely painting. Does it really have to be a one off? On the other hand, your usual style is a delight too, so you can't go wrong!

A lovely little painting Michael. I especially like the berries.

Really different, but it works so well. Great choice of colours and I do like the hard edges. It is good to go out of your comfort zone and doing so you have produced a lovely painting.

Thanks for taking the time to comment Ann Carole and Thea -