I am still pretty busy outside of the studio these days so I have been choosing smaller projects that I can pick up or stop easily. I have talked about Mr. Turtle before and decided that a small water color/ink portrait of him would fit the bill. I also need more animal portrait samples for my etsy shop and the picture I took of him last month was pretty good for that. He is a lovely shade of dark brown with golden markings. I think the markings are so distinctive to the individual that each one can be identified by them. As you can see, he was peering up at me when I took his picture. I never tried to pick him up so he wasn’t too afraid. He kept his head out the whole picture taking session, even when I walked around to photograph him from both sides. I think we have come to an agreement. I kind of like the look in his eye.
I have been using the nib pen and india ink to sketch out a base for the watercolor in the animal portrait work. I like the fluidity and variation of the pen stroke for the animal art versus the technical pen for the architecturals. Also, I am not really using the nib pen for a lot of detail in these. I want to keep a sketch like quality to the work.
And Mr. Turtle has been living life on the edge lately. Last week he had to be picked up out of the way a riding lawn mower and relocated to a safer spot. All I can say is “whew” for him. He’s fairly good size but seeing him in the tall grass was fortunate.
Sep 01, 2013 @ 20:14:56
Lovin’ this slow movin’ dude! Great texture on his/her shell.
Sep 01, 2013 @ 20:23:17
Thanks. I have seen him for a few years around the house and become quite fond of him. I like the look in his eye the best, but the shell turned pretty well too.
Sep 01, 2013 @ 20:30:06
I had a toad that hung out in my garden for 10 years and became quite fond of him, too. This year he didn’t return 😦
Sep 02, 2013 @ 18:50:21
Very cool, Ruth. I’d watch the box turtle in my Granny’s back yard when I’d go to visit. Every year. She’d even talk to him or her, so I started to, also. Your post takes me back.
Sep 02, 2013 @ 21:04:14
I rather like looking out for him. It is always a special treat to come across him in the spring. I usually see him once or twice after that too.
Sep 02, 2013 @ 21:38:12
Terrific turtle! The head and markings are great and he’ll make a great addition to your animal examples!
Sep 03, 2013 @ 20:41:01
Thanks, Cindy. i’m fond of him too – both the picture and the real thing.
Sep 30, 2013 @ 14:34:22
Fantastic turtle Ruth. I obviously haven’t been by for a while to see all of your wonderful animal art. What a treat!
Sep 30, 2013 @ 14:38:26
He’s my little wildlife friend in the yard and I enjoyed drawing him.