Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Diptych each panel is 6" X 12" oil on panel


This is my first diptych. I've called the pair "Cactus Chatter."

These Curved-Bill Thrashers are a common bird in this area. They are not the most glamorous of birds, but they do have a pretty song. This time of year they are especially musical as they sing to find a mate.

My husband took the original photo with both birds in the same photo. I decided it might make a good diptych and divided the one photo into two parts. I modified one of the

cacti to fit more naturally into the painting. Below is a photo of the two panels together.
                                                                   
I can imagine both panels framed separately then hung next to one another on a wall. Or, I have seen both panels framed in the SAME 12" X 12" frame. Both methods seem to be effective.

This background was the third one I painted. The first two were done with a shade of yellow. It sounded good in theory, but in reality I felt the yellow took away from the birds even though it was a mellow yellow. This blue and white mixture allows the birds to be the main focus.

Here is a link to see this on DailyPaintworks. Click HERE .

16 comments:

  1. You ROCK gal! How you can go from circles to thrashers so perfectly amazes and impresses the heck out of me.
    We love the Thrasher - his golden eyes stand out in the sun like neon lights. Admire the strong contemporary design and colors you used, Carol. Good call changing to the blue.

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    1. We like them, too, Julie! They are bold and daring although they scatter rocks all over, and we love their singing. It's really a pleasant song they sing! Thank you for such generous words! You made me feel so tall!!

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  2. These are really beautiful Carol! I would hang them like the first photo. The blues in the cacti is so vibrant! Very unique and beautiful!!

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    1. Thank you, Hilda. I think I would choose the same way to hang them. That's part of the fun of a diptych. I am wondering if the blue is a little too blue. Do you think it might be good to tone them down?

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  3. I do have to second what Julie said. You are a versatile artist that is for sure! You've got a real knack for capturing the birds-their expressions, gestures and their forms just seem to be so natural. I like the format too-a diptych is clever. It seems like the birds are talking to each other and splitting up the photo created a different sort of narrative. Good job on the background too. It seems dusky and desert like to me somehow.

    Libby

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    1. Thank you for your input, Libby. I love to paint birds. I think it is because they all seem to have a personality. The dusky appearance really is strong here in the summer months due to the heat and dust in the air. I appreciate your comments!

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  4. What a great pair! I think you found the perfect coloring.

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    1. Carol, what a nice thing to say! The yellow I used just didn't work at all. I think the blue and off-white is so much better! Thank you for confirming that!

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  5. The birds are really beautifully painted, but what caught my eyes immediately was the cactus and all the wonderful colors you used, so perfect, really great !

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    1. Jane, thank you! I had some difficulty photographing it. The camera or monitor really picks up the blue and purple colors more vividly than the others. I've been debating whether I should soften them and retake the photos. What do you think?

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  6. Lovely paintings. I also was taken with the cactus in a good way. The little bit of warmth in the leaves holds the painting together nicely. I like them as they are! Good choice with the background color.

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    1. Thank you, Helen, for your comments. I was afraid the blue was a bit too bright, but I think part of it is the camera's doing. Or, perhaps there was too much light when I photographed it. Anyhoo, I did enjoy very much the painting of it!

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  7. These two paintings are beautiful! I love the colours and the composition. Just lovely!

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    1. So happy you like them, Helen. I discovered I really like painting a diptych, and will try another one sometime. Your Lilies are so lovely. I love the strokes of thick paint in them.

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  8. Lovely work, Carol! They are wonderful as a diptych!

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    1. I am so grateful that you took the time to write a comment. I have been admiring your work for awhile now, and I absolutely love it! It's fun to see how you have used unexpected color for the different values in a work, and I love your animals. They seem so joyous and active!

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