New Challenges in a New Year

Firstly Happy New Year to fellow bloggers and friends who have been following my art journey in 2012. I hope you will continue in 2013 as my art continues to develop and grow and I introduce many different subject matter. 
As I have said before I prefer to paint from real life or at least my own photos but I am drawn to the challenge of painting subjects I may never have seen in real life or close enough and for this you do need great reference photos. Paint My Photo photographers share their talented work for artists to paint without copyright issues and there are thousands of good quality images to browse for inspiration. By painting from someone elses photo a different set of skills are required along with observation and I often google the subject if it is not common to me so that I can find out more and see different shots and maybe habitat etc. and this helps me get more of a feel for my painting.
From a reference photo by Gary Jones I painted this Zebra just before Christmas and was really pleased with him so I challenged myself to paint him again in what is now my biggest painting to date. I intend on having this framed soon and will hang it on my studio wall to inspire me to go further with my art this year.

Stripes Suit Me
Painting size cms 70 x 43
or inches 27"x 17"

Comments

  1. Wow Lorraine. 2013 has started with a bang for you jugding by this and your owl on Facebook. Fabulous work with both.

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    1. Thanks Laura, just looking at trying different subject in an effort to get out of my norm. I see Sharon has also done this image and it is that reason why one should try and not use other people's images otherwise it is hard to be unique.

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  2. What a fabulous painting, Lorraine! Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks Judy, bit of a change from my flowers but they are my true love

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  3. Have also seen Sharon's image...... both really good and fair point re using other people's images!!! Your other option of course is to put your own stamp on it so that it moves away from a photographic representation and becomes recognisable as yours... just a thought, though understand that maybe isn't what you wanted, trouble is Gary's photos are just so good and tempting for everyone!!

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    1. Hi Judith thanks for leaving your comments. I was on line so am replying straight away. Your point of putting your stamp on it is extremely valid but with this fantastic image the composition was just perfect in fact the best I could imagine. It was a bit of a shock though to find within 24 hours the image staring back at me from the other side of the world though. Perhaps I should stick to my own intuitive, spontaneous hit and miss compositions!

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  4. Beautiful rendering, Lorraine.
    I would also consider, in addition to Judith's suggestion, to taking a trip to the zoo and making your own photos for reference. I am sure, on the internet, that there are some good guides or suggestions for how to take interesting animal portraits. You are so good at painting them!

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  5. Terry thanks for your suggestions. We have a wildlife park not far from us but there is no Zebra there and we had thought of a trip to the zoo only after I painted this!. Funnily though I had never intended to paint animals per say but Garys image was stunning I was hooked!

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  6. Hi Lorraine:) May this become a beautiful creative year for you! Your zebra is very nice and also is the title:) I love your art!

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  7. You are very kind Renate, you too have a wonderful creative year

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I love sharing my journey with fellow bloggers and your feedback through comments is always appreciated.