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Rooster Page

Georgia's Process for Rendering a Pastel Painting
(AKA - The Rooster Page)

I get my ideas while driving, mowing the lawn, cleaning the toilet, doing dishes, etc. I decided I wanted to paint a colourful, showy rooster that would contrast against a drab background and I wanted him sitting on a fence post with broken barbed wires. Then I had to hunt for my subject to collect photographic reference to draw from.

After scouring the countryside of Central Alberta I never saw a rooster that was sitting on a fence post but I did spot a colourful guy running around the barnyard of a total stranger. I jumped out of the truck and quickly snapped dozens of pictures. He never slowed down for a minute but that's okay; I can draw him in a still pose. I just needed to see his texture and shape. My husband had to explain to the farmer's wife why I was chasing her rooster around. He says that sometimes it's embarrassing to be married to me.

I sketch my subject scribbly at first and tighten up as I rework it several times. I deliberately drew him out of proportion. His head needed to be smaller and his tail feathers bigger. Somehow, this added an element of humor -he's not intelligent enough to know how magnificent he is.

1.) I start with a base coat of pastel in the background.
.........
2.) I add detail and texture to the background with chalk pastel pencils.

 

3.) When I render the fence post I decide which side my light source is
coming from to determine the shadow on the post, behind the post and under the barbed wire.

 

4.) I render the feathers that are tucked in behind other feathers.

 

5.) I continue working on one section of feathers at a time, always laying
down broad vivid stokes of pastel at first and adding the detail over top in pastel pencil.

 

6.) I add the over lapping sections of feathers last.

I think I'll call him "Rodney". He reminds me of a guy I went to art college with, who had that name.


If you would like any further information, or have any questions or comments,
please email me at georgiagraham99@gmail.com

 

Click here to email Georgia Graham