Chipmunk on Tree
Photo of my Subject

Sorry this post is a little late in coming today.  Our internet connection has been a little “iffy” here in the Arkansas woods.
I told you all about the little chipmunk I was working on last time and here he is…
He was playing a game of “peek-a-boo” with me on the day I snapped his photo.  I love working from my photos as reference.  I find it really helps me remember all those “details” I so love to get lost in…

Chipmunk painting WIP
Laying down first few layers…

My palette consists of Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Black, Hansa Yellow Medium and White.  My surface is usually Gesso Board, but I’m experimenting with a hot pressed watercolor paper this time.
I’m in the process of building my layers and adding bits of texture.  Every painting is always an experiment.  That’s one of the reasons  I like working in layers of transparent color…if I don’t like it I can adjust it in the next layer.Repurposing an old brush

I also wanted to share with you my “special” fur brush.  It is an old #2 round that lost it’s point long ago, but has now been “repurposed” as one of my most favorite fur tools.  As you can see, I simply apply pressure to the brush hairs by pushing them down on my palette.  See how the hairs now start to separate….yet a few still cling together here and there…perfect!  Now I just need to drag it through my “wash” of color to load the brush.  With a light touch, I gently stoke the hairs onto the little chipmunk.  Always making sure the strokes match the direction of the hair growth.  Sometimes I twist and turn the brush to get a variance in the texture.  This is just the beginning….there is much more to come.Detail Chipmunk Painting
Please feel free to comment or ask questions. I love to share my process.  Painting brings such joy to my heart and I hope to yours as well.

 

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
Anatole France

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