On The Easel

Follow an acrylic painting demonstration, see how a piece of artwork evolves from the initial concept and compositional drawings through to completion, and preview my very latest paintings. This page is one of the prime objectives of this website and I try my very best to keep it up to date. Current drawings and paintings are displayed using digital camera shots. Please revisit every few weeks, I'm sure there will be some fresh images for you. All paintings are for sale and expressions of interest are welcome.

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Start of a new acrylic painting of a peregrine, a work in progress on the easel

'The Sentinel' Juvenile Peregrine Falcon 20/02/2023

Credit for Original reference photo: Thanks to Peter Killey of https://manxscenes.com/2019/06/peregrine-falcon-2/

There were limited compositional drawings for this piece as the original photograph from my friend Peter was amazing, to begin with. So it was penciled straight onto the canvas board

I am working with Winsor and Newton Acrylics on 12 x 16-inch canvas boards and using my favorite brushes from Artistik which give an amazing level of control over the application of the paint.

The second stage of an acrylic painting progression of a peregrine falcon, work in progress

Blocking In Colour Detail

The majority of the base color has been laid down now. So this is where I begin blocking in some of the glorious feather plumage and details. I will also be considering my color value and adding layers of dark and light to start adding depth and shape to the subject.

There are a lot of rich earth colors being used in this palette, such as yellow ochres, Burnt Sienna, and Burnt Umber both in the peregrine and in the Rusty and weathered texture I want to capture in the railings this handsome bird is perched on. The main blue on the canvas right now is Cerulean Blue with a touch of Paynes Grey.

Nearing completion, work in progress update of an acrylic painting featuring a Peregrine Falcon

Adding Detail, Light and Structure

This is where our handsome juvenile Peregrine starts coming to life. I start work on blocking in the detail and washes of shading and building on the rich rust tones in the Ironwork, whilst still trying to show the texture of the surface and the original flaking Victorian paint.

The devils in the details. So this stage takes a bit of work, but I enjoy every minute of it. I want the audience to feel that momentary fleeting pose when the young takes a breather on the ironwork and stretches its wings, purveying its surroundings before it sets off again on the hunt.

Completed original painting of a Peregrine Falcon entitled The Sentinel

Refining the details

Now it's about adding the finer details, adding light and muting the feathers, purveying lighting, depth, shadow, and texture to the rusty rails. Conveying the age and what is left of the old Victorian paintwork flaking off.

Framed original artwork, The Sentinel- Peregrine Falcon 12 x 16 inch acrylic on canvas panel

Finished!!

Now all that's left is to proudly frame and hang this handsome chap somewhere he can look over us all.

The Sentinel