October fun with bright colors...

"Mama Bear" 18x24 painting done in pastel by Gail Watford

Finishing up a big 18x24 pastel painting, I visualize my bear as a momma bear with her cubs, in my mind I see them.... they're just to the left of the painting about to get into trouble, jumping around in the mountain stream. Momma bear is definitely getting annoyed with them! This painting was a fun project, pushing myself into a stronger pallette. Red has never been one of my favorite colors, but I loved working in the reds, oranges and yellows in this painting. It felt very timely with the October weather and the changing leaf colors. Maybe I will paint those cubs I have in mind?

"Western Tanager" 5x7 painting done in pastel by Gail Watford

When I paint I have found, I like to work on more than one painting at a time.  It gives me time to think about the painting I'm not working on and see it with a fresh view. This little 5x7 pastel "Western Tanager" was done while working on the bear painting.  It worked out well using mostly the same palette but working in a different style and manner.