Elk final

Well, here he is. No matter how I try it still takes eight hours to get all the layers in place. I think I will keep working on variations of this image. Not something I have done in the past, but the more I work with him the better I get to know him. As I worked I have pondered on all that I have read from other artists. I have a long way to go to achieve the level of work that I can imagine, but that only comes with lots of practice. This is but a tiny tip of the iceberg.

Despite the hectic winter and spring I am still glad I chose to work on this project and all the research that went into the study of the history of wildlife and environmental art. I have changed career directions due to this project. I am more aware of our impact on our planet and on the places where we live. I want to make a difference no matter how small.

Robert Bateman wildlife artist - didn't load as expected will send e-mail

Here are some images of the work I have done in the last few days. By drawing and working on the same image over and over I can gain a better feeling for the subject. There are preliminary sketches and some test paintings to check background. I also completed the first color pencil drawing, it took about 8 hours to complete. The elk itself is about 12" x 10". The second is done in watercolor. I wanted to see which one I wanted to use on the final piece ,which should be done tonight. I have included the background start, which is in watercolor and the elk will be in color pencil. I also included one of my first attempts at pastel. It was a good break away from the tight illustrative style I usually work in.

I am a long way from the level I want to be working at. But at least it is a start.

Sketches from Life Drawing

These are from a day long life drawing study. A few of us got together and hired a model. Sure would like to do this more often. We worked for about six hours total. Give the model a bunch of credit for that one. :)

Update on the drawings

Just real quick, I wanted to post images here because it is easier than trying to e-mail a bunch.

Sorry - my camera is very cheap and has very bad image quality.

These are a couple more of the elk that I am currently working on. I hope to get the color practice down today and then move to watercolor paper. Probably will be mixed media of watercolor, color pencil and maybe India ink. Some of the first are out of perspective, but I finished them anyway. The next I built a grid to help. This worked and I found out my computer screen is stretching images. No wonder things weren't working in the mirror.