Fantasy Sea Bird Painting – and a little about the painting process…
My twentieth painting for advent – 20th December 2013.
Sometimes it’s hard to know what to paint – or I’m just too indecicive and there are so many options…
I consulted a sketchbook – and found some quick sketches done at the beach in the summer – birds. OK – use the shape.
![Sea bird sketch, Debra Wenlock Sea bird sketch, Debra Wenlock](https://i0.wp.com/www.debrawenlock.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Sea-bird-sketch-Debra-Wenlock.jpg?resize=409%2C188&ssl=1)
What about colour… pick out some colours I like from my favourite tin of oil pastels.
![Debra's Neopastel box and selection Debra's Neopastel box and selection](https://i0.wp.com/www.debrawenlock.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Neopastels.jpg?resize=409%2C427&ssl=1)
What next… a word!
![Bird, Debra Wenlock Bird, Debra Wenlock](https://i0.wp.com/www.debrawenlock.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Bird-Debra-Wenlock.jpg?resize=409%2C567&ssl=1)
Some colour and pattern – painted quickly and intuitively – not worrying about what it will become.
Just beginning and background – here’s the start.
![Bird & colour, Debra Wenlock Bird & colour, Debra Wenlock](https://i0.wp.com/www.debrawenlock.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Bird-colour-Debra-Wenlock.jpg?resize=409%2C483&ssl=1)
… and at some point I sketched in the bird shape, horizon and foreground with oil pastel,
got carried away with painting, doodling & pattern and forgot to take record any more stages, until –
![Fantasy Sea Bird - colour & pattern, Debra Wenlock Fantasy Sea Bird - colour & pattern, Debra Wenlock](https://i0.wp.com/www.debrawenlock.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Bird-colour-pattern-Debra-Wenlock.jpg?resize=409%2C448&ssl=1)
And that was him finished. ( I really like those wee colour sample doodles I did on the left – I see spirals showing up in some future paintings.)
![Fantasy Sea Bird Painting - painting process 3 Fantasy Sea Bird, oil pastel & acrylic painting by Debra Wenlock](https://i0.wp.com/www.debrawenlock.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Fantasy-Sea-Bird-by-Debra-Wenlock.jpg?resize=624%2C636&ssl=1)
The finished article… but what kinda bird is it?
I think the original sketch was of a gull looking out to sea.
For now he’s my fantasy sea bird and I’ll be hoping to spot him standing on a rock one day soon.
Original sea bird painting in acrylic & oil pastel on stretched canvas, measuring 8 x 8 inches.
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