Still working on painting more loosely, this week I decided to follow one of Maria Rackzynska’s watercolour tutorials to paint a squirrel from this reference photo…
I enjoyed painting the tail, but rather lost my creative omph when I got to the body. I think the fur is just too dark. I’d completely lost it by the time I got to the tree stump it’s standing on…
The next time I had enough time, I traced the squirrel and started again. This time I tried to make it not so dark and put more effort into the tree…
I definitely like the shape of the first squirrel better – but that’s not surprising because I traced the second one. I really like my second tree stump and prefer the paintwork in the second picture, but am not that enamoured.
I think the squirrel itself is just not red enough for my liking. Think I need to find a new reference image and try again.
Until next time,
Bekki x
Dartmoor Creative - Bekki Hill 
I would imagine that would be a difficult image to capture – so much light and shade going on there.
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You’re right, the darks are exaggerated by the photo. Maybe not the best choice of reference photo?
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Those tuftys are so cute though. I have been lucky enough to see a red squirrel this year. They are so delicate and wispy compared to the Grey’s. X
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It’s surprising how much smaller they are. Never seen one down here – I don’t think there are any. Well done on spotting one – always heartening to see the the greys haven’t completely driven them out x
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There aren’t any near me in Lancashire but I have seen them in Cumbria. If you see a grey one in Cumbria, you are meant to report it, then they are disposed of. 😦 It’s sad but the reds cannot survive in the same area.
X
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Ah! That makes sense, I’ve only ever seen reds in Cumbria.
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I love that way your trying for the loose. We have the artist Julie Brunn just up the road in Shaftesbury. She is so fabulous at capturing soul in ‘a few’ stokes. Look her up!
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Thank you. I will. I do think watercolour is made for loose painting.
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Julie is mostly oils but her style is amazing.
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Hello. Just had a look. You’re right they are amazing. They’re all so alive! I think the looser style definitely helps breath life into animal pictures.
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