Australian Bear Creations + New Bear Available!

If anyone is interested to have a go themselves at making one of my mini bear designs, my 2 inch Baby Bear pattern is in the latest issue of Australian Bear Creations (the pattern is also available through my Etsy shop)

I have just listed the bear featured in the magazine in my Etsy shop, I've called him "Hunny Bear" and he can be visited at this link:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/113279436/hunny-bear-miniature-teddy-bear

Bird sketches

Did these little sketches this morning of 3 birds that visit my garden.  I wanted to see how my freehand drawing skills have improved and I think they definitely have, I got the shape of the birds heads pretty much right I think.

Egret finished!

Egret painting is now finished.  I can't believe I managed to paint this in just two sittings.  Really pleased with how it turned out, especially as I was using a limited palette and not using the exact colours that was recommended in the tutorial.  I learnt a lot working through this tutorial.

Egret WIP 2

Today I started on the painting, I didn't have the exact colours that the tutor uses in the demonstration but I think it's going pretty well so far.  I've already learned so much

Egret WIP 1

I'm going to be following an oil painting tutorial by Paul Apps on the Art Tutor website. An Egret standing in water. So far I've toned the canvas by doing a grey wash and have done a basic freehand sketch of the bird and the reflection in the water etc...Really looking forward to working through the tutorial

Alpaca finished

Alpaca nearing completion

Here is my progress from yesterday, still more work to do on the neck area but I think it's nearing completion.  I seem to have created a bit of interest with this drawing and I've had several enquiries about my technique and possible tutorials etc..  So I am now thinking it's something I may work on soon.

Alpaca progress

Today I worked more on the fur on the head, gave it some more texture by adding a medium brown.

Alpaca update

Starting to build the colour in the muzzle area now by adding a darker brown

Alpaca WIP 1

Alpacas are one of my favourite animals, I just love their cute faces so it was only a matter of time before I drew one.  Here is my progress from yesterday.

Major Mitchell Cockatoo finished

Okay, I may have overworked this painting a bit, lesson learnt.  I couldn't stop fiddling with it, at one stage I had to re-do the eye completely.

Impressionist Cockatoo

I have a really sore back at the moment but I was determined to start this painting today.  I've had it in my head for weeks to paint a cockatoo in an impressionist style, I chose to do a Major Mitchell Cockatoo as I love the orange and yellow in their crest.  Still more work to do but I'm happy with how it's progressing.  Oil on canvas, 16 x 20 inches.