Hummingbird

This partly abstract painting of a Hummingbird emerging from a pond, results from my practice session during an online workshop from the Milan Art Institute ("Acrylic Painting Made Easy"). Another excellent class for me to delve into acrylics and painting techniques.

I truly enjoy these workshops because they significantly enhance my painting and drawing skills. Every time I learn (or relearn) something new.

The advantage of acrylics is that each layer of paint enhances the outcome progressively. As you can see by the different stages in my painting process with this one:

1. Following the 2-hour workshop, I was quite pleased with the outcome up to that point. I just wasn't fond of the yellow section in my version (even though it looked nice in the original image). To me, it seemed somewhat out of place compared to the rest.

   

   1. After the 2-hour workshop

   
   

2. In the following session, I altered the background (also concealing the feet). I also concentrated more on the feathers and found it difficult to replicate the transparency from the source image.

   
   

   When I reached the point where I felt I wasn't progressing and began to mess up the colors, I decided to stop for the day. I felt a bit frustrated with it...

Session 2.

3. Another session primarily concentrating on the feathers. I finally succeeded in enhancing the wings and establishing a clearer contrast between the front and back. However, I still was´t completely satisfied with the tail...

   Furthermore, I started focusing on the water and its reflection, which introduced another challenge in this piece.😅!

3. Getting there step by step.

4. After allowing it to rest for approximately a week, I was prepared to proceed, this time concentrating mainly on the water. I especially found it difficult to portray the transparency of the water flowing from the tail feathers connecting the bird to the pond.

   I included the feet and added some copper in the background, replacing the original yellow, as it needed something there.

   In the end, I was very pleased with its progress, despite facing challenges.😅

4. Almost there…

5. The final session was dedicated to perfecting the details and achieving the right appearance of the water... I probably redid it at least three times. Another layer… and another… Until… Yes! Here we go:

5. Final details… and done!

It is interesting to see within the Milan community that everyone who follows this workshop ends up with a completely different painting, although everyone uses the same source image…

My version varies a lot from teacher Elli’s. Her painting technique is looser and less detailed.

Next time, I'll aim to paint with a more relaxed style and avoid getting too absorbed in the details, as I often tend to do. (Which Elli warned about during the workshop 😅)

Another insight I gained from this workshop is that mixing colors tends to be more effective directly on the canvas, by layering them side by side and then blending them with a dry brush. In this way, the colors seem to retain their vibrancy instead of turning dull. (Not to self; check another workshop focussed on mixing colours with acrylics 🙃).

And to have patience. The best results seem to come from working in thin layers and letting them dry before continuing. Wanting to do too much at once ruins it. (As I had learned painting my Buddha years ago…)

Although thinking “Now I’ve really messed it up!” seems to be part of the process with every painting/ drawing… 🙈 In the end, when you step back from the details and view the overall picture, it turns out not to be so bad after all.

I guess every piece has its process. And that’s interesting as well. Let’s see what the next one brings…