Studio Scenes: Painting a Great Horned Owl

Welcome to the Studio!

A couple of days ago, my neighbor came over the hill to visit (we live in the mountains). When he saw me painting in the studio, he asked me if I could paint a Great Horned Owl for him. He told me that many years ago before I lived here, he had seen one of these giant birds up close in the old oak tree just outside the house. "Actually," he added, "I had dreamed about the owl in the tree the night before I saw it...."


This is the painting I made for him.


 Here is a little creative process.  First, I located a good, clear picture of this grand bird.


As usual, I started with the black gesso background...


I used my standard palette...buff white, yellow ochre, mars black, and burnt umber, raw sienna and titanium white.



I rough sketched the owl's form with white pencil and began to add layers of color and shade to create feathers...





I paid particular attention to the face, starting dark and then adding the light...



I built layers of paint, adding to different areas as the painting progressed.



Finally, I used the white and black to add depth, highlight, and glorious detail.


And so, the Great Horned Owl has returned to our mountain!


 I had such a fun time creating this commissioned art piece, that I've decided to open the doors to any customers who would like to have a portrait painted of their beloved animal companion, pet, fur baby, and totem animal.  Email me at carrie@caramiabella.com for details, or visit my Boutique by clicking below....


Be sure to visit every Tuesday and Friday for more art and inspiration from the studio...
 Wishing you an inspired and creative weekend!

...Carrie...

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