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.
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 .
You ROCK gal! How you can go from circles to thrashers so perfectly amazes and impresses the heck out of me.
ReplyDeleteWe 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.
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!!
DeleteThese are really beautiful Carol! I would hang them like the first photo. The blues in the cacti is so vibrant! Very unique and beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThank 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?
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteLibby
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!
DeleteWhat a great pair! I think you found the perfect coloring.
ReplyDeleteCarol, 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!
DeleteThe 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 !
ReplyDeleteJane, 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?
DeleteLovely 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.
ReplyDeleteThank 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!
DeleteThese two paintings are beautiful! I love the colours and the composition. Just lovely!
ReplyDeleteSo 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.
DeleteLovely work, Carol! They are wonderful as a diptych!
ReplyDeleteI 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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