Elephant in Acrylics

Acrylics are a relatively new medium to me.While watercolour painting allows me to mix my colours on paper, letting them run and find their own space on the surface; painting in acrylic is totally different - a brush mark stays strictly where you put it! I don't fancy painting every hair or every cell of the body-- though I am in awe of those who can do it-- so I really needed to find a way to mix my colours on canvas. This is what I came up with, using brush strokes of different colours to create an impression of colours merging into each other, blurring the boundaries.I think it gives the painting a fragmented look which I sort of like.
Spent too many days on this one, now I am feeling the usual pain in the neck which means I won't be able to paint for a few days.How I wish I could paint 24x7!

Coral King

36''x24''

Acrylic on Stretched Canvas

Moon Shine - Baby Elephant in Watercolor

12"x16"

Recently got myself a new shade of Daniel Smith W/c, '' Moon glow". As I was expecting a rich, granulating color, there was some disappointment initially..the color looked rather flat.But then I decided to explore it further and  painted this baby elephant with it.No points for guessing that I am liking it now! This elephant was created using Moonglow,crimson with just a hint of Prussian blue in one or two places.Background was added later in cerulean blue. I am rather happy with the overall effect.

Elephant in Purple

9"x12"

Loving my new Saunders Waterford CP block-- first page done.I wish I had taken work in progress pictures ! I started with a loose, mingling wash, followed by some detail in the trunk and around tusk.Then I let it sit for a couple of hours.Finally some dry brush detail was added ,so were the shadows.I am quite happy with this one.

The Elephant Commission

24" 20"

This was the commission I completed and shipped yesterday to Boston, US. Lately I have been asked repeatedly for larger paintings as commissions,forcing me to step out of my comfort zone more often. I like my colors to run and mingle on paper but the paint dries much quickly on a larger area so its difficult to achieve desired results.It was a tough one, this guy!But happy that the client approved it and was thrilled with it.Just keeping my fingers crossed for its safe arrival- I had to send it rolled in a tube because of its size.

Amber Elephant

16"x12"

Its tough to come up with names for them now; I have painted so many!This one is in muted tones- sepia, gold and raw umber mainly.Another study before I started on a bigger commission.It was good to take a break from the usual color scheme and try something new. I refrained from using blue, turquoise and purple in this one.

Elephants

Peas in a Pod

12x9

SOLD

This pair was on of the swiftest to move out.... A lovely lady in UK contacted me two days ago, about a custom Elephant Painting for her living room.She wanted it to be large enough to hang above her fire place mantle.(I will be painting that one soon) The following evening I decided to paint a smaller one , just to be sure of my color scheme and treatment.This pair turned out to be good and I posted it on Art Finder.It was Sold within 24 hours!

Well now I have to start with the larger one , with four elephants.Hope it turns out well,too.

Have a great weekend, you all.

Elephant Portrait ''Stalwart''

20"x 15"

I have been painting small for quite some time and felt that it was time to go big This one is as big as I can go at the moment, but I am quite happy with it.Shipping large watercolors can be a pain as I do not roll them into tubes but prefer to send them flat.It can be done but is extremely expensive. Anyway this "Stalwart" looks quite majestic on large scale, doesn't he? Painted in my usual style on Arches cold pressed paper.

Young Turk

8x10

Felt like playing with color today....this Young Turk did not even have a drawing underneath, I just started with a brush loaded with color and loads of water.

Recently got myself a new pink (W &N Opera Rose) this painting was a test to see its relationship with other colors.Its bright alright but no great chemistry with others.

Actually I have been trying to replace my old tube of  Fragonard Rose Tyrien which is running out fast!I had bought it in India a few years ago and I haven't see a color this beautiful since.....it pushes away every other color it touches and creates beautiful blooms.( Its not in the painting  above but you remember the cute bunnies and roosters I posted a few days ago..get the picture?!)

Problem is, I can't find it even online ..and haven't found any counterpart either --a pink that would merge with other colors as beautifully....any help would be much appreciated.

Dream Big

 A few pictures of the exhibition opening last evening....

                                                                   ''The Blue Bag''

         

''Umber Stripes''

And today's painting; another Elephant :)

12x16

I wanted to try a larger size this time.It was fun, though a bit intimidating to control the color on a larger support.I might paint more of them soon- I have not used any reference image this time, I know them so well!

Bluebell

9x12

Elephants calling again ...this is today's work.I see myself going loose with every painting and its fun!

This painting was just a lot of wet-in-wet, I did not wait anything to dry..just painted on.I like the results and I hope you do ,too.

Tomorrow is the exhibition opening, lets hope my paintings receive a warm reception. 

Elephant in Purple _SOLD

The Purple Elephant I painted some time ago has now been sold at DailyPaintWorks...

Elephant in Purple
SOLD