Flamingos. 2

Once I had the general idea in the sketch of what I was looking to accomplish, I then went further into detail. I pulled all my photos, and researched my subject matter—which in this case included skeletal images so I could better understand the beak/face and posture. I began by working on the individual birds, then started compiling them. Once I compiled them there were several more drawings done to get everything as I wanted them to me. The image seen here is the last of these drawings, and the one I will use as the basis for my painting.

 

Pencil drawing, Flamingos © Beatrice Bork, 2013

Flamingos. 1

My journey back to health for the last half year had put my painting on hold for a while, but I have continuously been sketching and reflecting, and ideas for future paintings are plentiful. While I still have treatments to complete, I am now feeling pretty good — like a horse in a starting-gate ready to burst back onto the track.

So, what is to be the creation that gets me back? I've settled on an image that I had sketched several times since all this began. Flamingos. Maybe the pinkish ribbon-like necks influenced me. I had seen them on one of my trips to Trinidad, they are of course striking birds and this seemed to be the right time and connection for me.

I want this piece to not only accurately depict the birds of course, but also have my own personal experience be reflected. They wade through the mangrove swamps and tidal flats in groups with there heads down going through the shallows and muck to sustain life. They are gregarious and looking at a group you see a tangle of necks and legs… and yet they' re in harmony getting through another day.

I'm now finalizing my pre-painting renditions and hope to begin the piece in the next week or so. Below are initial charcoal renderings, these are used to work out positioning and composition. The next phase of drawings work out more of the details and accuracy. Updates to come.

Initial charcoal rendering (stage 1) for flamingos © Beatrice Bork, Feb. 2013 

Initial charcoal rendering (stage 2) for flamingos © Beatrice Bork, Feb. 2013

Horses!

I have been presented with a unique challenge to paint 11 horses, but not just any horses. This piece will be focused on 3 generations of paints. I have been given photos, with detailed descriptions of their personalities—and will be depicting them running as a herd, starting with "grand-mare". While I generally do not work on many commissioned works, this venture seemed too exciting to pass up! I am looking forward to the weeks/months ahead as I go through the process of creating this from sketch to final watercolor painting.

I will be posting a series of progression... I'll just need to keep a camera close by and remember to take a photo now and then to show the progress ;)

In this first drawing I've created a very loose sketch to get a feel of where each horse will be positioned. I used vine charcoal to do this, as it's easy to get quick lines down, and rub off as needed.

© rough sketch of paint horses by Beatrice Bork — work yet to be titled. 2011