I've been working on 2 paintings of swallows this week. They're around our house a lot, and spent some time checking out our garage in June, before they settled on a spot to build their nest. 

 These show a good representation of how I usually work. Outlining the composition, and using flat color to just locate the shapes and get an idea what the composition with my thoughts of color will look like.

 I liked this one right away and decided to do some modeling of the birds. I adjusted the shape of the one on the right quite a bit. making it more squatty.

I didn't get a pic at the end of my session painting today. Will try to do that tomorrow, and include the other painting I'm working on.

This is the photo I'm working from. I wanted to show it here to show the changes I made from the photo. Raising the right swallow a bit for a nicer composition.  

Following are the new paintings I'll have @ Sequoia for July's show.

16 X 20

18 x 24

16 x 22

18 x 24

11 x 14

18 x 24

12 x 12 

I've finished the last painting I want to include in my exhibit @ Sequoia for July.  It's the first time
I've worked consecutive days to complete a painting, and so was able to clock my time. I worked
17 hours on this one, and took some process pics.

It's often hard to know when to stop. I wanted to have some areas well detailed, and leave other areas abstracted. 

July 28 - Just added this image of the completed panting. I solidified her shirt, and finished the lower right background to bring the whole painting together more. The colors on this photo are more true to life also. 

These are recent. 

I'm a featured artist @ Sequoia in July, and so working to have a good group to show.    I've put process photos here.              

This set of 3 is for a commission, based on another painting that I'd done a couple years ago. These are a good representation of the month long process. 

July 28-15,  I just added this shot of the completed painting. When I take the time to sit and look at a painting, I almost always find something to change, improve.  I just brought more of the sky into her shirt and rounded her facial lines a bit more. This was a really fun piece to work on as a commission. 

I haven't posted for months.  No excuses - here are a couple process paintings that I've done in March and April.  These are from a photo of Maddie last summer.

And this is Evie, from a photo taken last year. 

she went through some

changes, not really looking like Evie - 

re directing the forehead and angle of the chin. 

There she is.