Skull Trio Painting Complete

After the last bit of glue dried on the frames last night and I flipped this skull trio over this morning I was really struck by how I could actually see a bit of progress and improvement just between these three pieces.

I feel like in the first painting I got my form down, then in the second painting I was getting a little bit more confident with the colors, and by the third painting I had really found a lovely illuminating glow within the bone.

Okaaayy this is the last time you’ll see these skulls in their 2D format but if you’d like to get sneak peeks at all the creepy-crawleys that will be ensconced in resin with these skulls, make sure you’re checking in on my Stories on Instagram here @caleighbirdart.

8.6.2020

Awesome Critter Finds!

Living by this lake lately has been a real gift for pre-dried critters to enclose in my artwork. The more that I stay in Florida the more I see just how much wildlife is around here!

I can’t wait to get to the resin layering of my skull trio paintings!! I’m definitely going to be having fun with all these creepy crawlers…..

7.16.2020

Skull Trio Progress Shots

You may have seen the live skull painting demo I did on YouTube a few weeks ago (if not it’s now listed as a ‘Real Time Skull Painting Demo’ in two parts), but that lively lil guy is actually just the first of three skulls I’m painting and will eventually layer with resin and some creepy crawlers or other found objects.

One of my favorite things about this process has been exploring all of the different earth toned hues that can actually be found in bones… far more than the basic grayscale one usually associates with bones. I’ve delighted in using a lot of sap green and a light pink-ish mauve color that has really brought these three skulls to life (ha! see what I did there??).

Enjoy these work-in-progress shots today and if you like checking out my painting process regularly, make sure to find me on Instagram where I’m constantly sharing paintings and drawings as they are created.

7.1.2020

Real Time Skull Painting Demo

Enjoy this real time painting demo of a skull today. I am using oil paints on a homemade linen-faced painting block. It's great practice to draw and paint the human skull because it helps break down the structure and components of a face for portrait drawing that you normally wouldn't see.

Here's Part 2 of the live painting Skull demo: [It’s also a great place to jump right in just before I do major work on the facial structure]

Materials:

Any supplies purchased through my special links help to support this channel. Thank you!!

Oil Paints:

Titanium White: https://bit.ly/2Uqiugo

Naples Yellow: https://bit.ly/2UKShbB

King’s Blue Light: https://bit.ly/3denDhW

Napthol Red: https://bit.ly/2WO7DP7

Raw Umber: https://bit.ly/2xrsAF5

Payne's Grey: https://bit.ly/3arumV1

Odorless Mineral Spirits: https://bit.ly/2vhDrA1 \

Brushes:

Da Vinci Trio Brushes (size 1 round, 4 bright, 4 filbert): https://bit.ly/312TCiO

Da Vinci Size 2 Round Brush: https://bit.ly/3diLEEK

Da Vinci Size 2 Filbert Brush: https://bit.ly/2NdkwMv

Da Vinci Size 0/2 Round Brush: https://bit.ly/2CqUxiK

If you’re curious how I made this linen painting panel, check out this older vid that details my process.

And make sure you’re subscribed to my channel because I have two other skull paintings coming out in timelapse video style!

6.20.2020

Clown Portrait Commission

Whelp, I’ve thought long and hard, and I think I’ve decided to give it all up for clown portraiture…

I just dropped off my latest commission yesterday and what an exciting spot it was indeed! My mom’s neighbor tapped me to repaint the badly damaged doorway portrait of Toby the Clown, who is the namesake of a local clown museum and school. It was my first time in the building and wow, I can honestly say I have never been in the midst of so much clown art in my life!

Although this is definitely one of my sillier commissions, I’m actually very honored to be asked to repaint this portrait because although Toby has passed away, he is beloved by many folks, including lots of other local clowns, and the folks who’ve seen the painting already say his warm and friendly personality really shines through, which means a lot to a portrait artist who has never met her subject in person.

They were super sweet and gave me a special surfing clown figurine since they knew I’m still fresh from the island life - so adorable. I was actually nicely surprised with the quality of some of the paintings. Check out the two portraits on the left in this pic, they were done by Red Skelton!

Below you can see the damage done to the original painting by the outdoor elements. I repainted it in oil, which will hold well but the gals down at the clown museum understand the face will probably need to be repainted every 3-5 years no matter what.

It’s definitely not what I’m used to, but I’ll take a great learning experience any time! I can officially add ‘Clown Portraiture’ into my repertoire now - ha!

Literally a few thousand figurines in the collection! Not exactly where I’d want to sleep at night, but totally awesome nonetheless!

5.28.2020

‘Fern Tummy’ in Her Perfect New Home

Any of my fellow artists understand that when a client brings a piece of your work into their home it is a very meaningful transaction and a little piece of your heart goes with each piece you create.

So when another artist whom you love and respect so much decides to collect your work, feelings of gratitude and warmth abound, especially when you get sent a photo like this one of your work born on the ridges of the Ko’olau mountains on O’ahu, and now at home in the cozy woods of New Hampshire.

Ferns with ferns forever… :)

Seana is one of my fave muses and biggest supporters and becoming a closer friend every day. Check out her gorgeous self photography and one of my paintings of her, and then find Seana on Instagram @theillustratr and look at her beautiful artwork.

5.20.2020

Help Name My Next Painting

Well this lil lady is getting pretty fancy! This first shot does not have any resin in it, it was the culmination of my brain storm last night. But this morning I poured the first layer… So exciting!!

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It’s hard to see in the first photo, but Kenna actually has an entire row of real ladybugs marching in a line across her chest and shoulder. These, among more that I still have, are from my artist residency in Tennessee. We had the most adorable infestation of ladybugs. Apparently it’s a naturally occurring thing that ladybugs come inside wood houses during the winter and then when their natural life cycle ends, you’re pretty much left with piles of the cutest corpses ever.

Here’s a few of my dried specimens.. aren’t ferns so unbelievably perfect?!?! If you click to enlarge the one on the left, you can see the most glorious and delicate inner veins in each leaf.

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Now here’s where you come in…

I’ve been calling this painting ‘Shroom Season’ because of the funky fungus growing out of Kenna’s head, but since planning the plant additions, I’m thinking of changing it to ‘Primavera’ (the Italian word for ‘spring’) after this exceptionally rejuvenating and ethereal painting that I’ve been fortunate enough to visit twice in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy by one of my most favorite painters of all time, Sandro Botticelli.

What do you think?

I’m taking a vote on the name today (Monday) here, on my YouTube, and on my Instagram. Drop me a comment or chime in on one of my official polls on my Instagram Story or my YouTube Community tab to cast your vote. Thanks!

5.18.2020

Coronavirus :: Artist Tips for a Global Pandemic

Well folks, I would have to say we are pretty much smack dab in the middle of the most uncertain of times... who would have thought that the biggest enemy of 2020 is shaping up to be human contact?!

The good news is that you are absolutely not alone and so many other artists are having to brave and navigate this strange new COVID-19 world right along with you. You know I've firmly believed that we can all work together as artists to come up and now it's imperative we do so to rise above as well.

You've got this. I promise.

Go learn some new skills! Free Skillshare membership for two months here!

Get 20% off my entire Shop while supporting this lil Bird:) Use code PANDEMIC

Helpful Resources:

https://www.varsitytutors.com/

https://www.makingsenseofcents.com/2019/11/online-tutoring-jobs.html

https://www.fiverr.com

https://onairvideo.com/model-index

Own Your Instagram for Artists: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEiBtAnS58WG2Mz2vPsOkSp1IYMGld_a7

Real time painting of part of this hand: https://youtu.be/8kfUf7CnjWI

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Yep, I'm available for art mentoring via webcam! I'm happy to help fellow up-and-coming artists with anything from technique to small business advice, as well as with perfecting your portfolio or thesis. **See my lower pandemic rates**

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Art supplies purchased through these links help support my channel:):)

Golden Taklon Brush Set: https://bit.ly/2JiEfIH

Canvas Pad: https://bit.ly/2UM5C3c

Titanium White: https://bit.ly/2Uqiugo

Naples Yellow: https://bit.ly/2UKShbB

Yellow Ochre: https://bit.ly/2vTIlE8

Cadmium Orange: https://bit.ly/3dAtRdl

Napthol Red: https://bit.ly/2WO7DP7

Burnt Sienna: https://bit.ly/39qVu5s

Raw Umber: https://bit.ly/2xrsAF5

Turquoise: https://bit.ly/2QQ84EU

Payne's Grey: https://bit.ly/3arumV1

3.28.2020

Sneaky Peek at Works in Progress

Now as you know folks, my works are a real time-consuming labor of love and with the whole ‘pouring resin’ ordeal I often complete a few base paintings in oil before building frames and creating the layers. What that can unfortunately mean though is that it can be months between me being able to post new finished works so today I just wanted to share two of my current works-in-progress today :)

I just finished up Kenna’s hand as well as the intricate shadow shapes cast over her chest. If you can tell the skin looks kind of weird around the shapes it’s because she is wearing a black lace top which I will be painting over the flesh tone once it is completely dry. I’ve also already painted some mushrooms on another piece of linen that will be 3D ensconced in the resin for a real cluster effect.

Plus she’s got a nose ring, glasses and rings on her fingers to add in too. I secretly love painting shiny metal!

I’m so happy with how this hand turned out with these crazy dagger-like shadows cascading down it. In a subsequent layer there will be a painted orange bird of Paradise flower being held which is casting those amazing shadows. I also finished my aerosol background using an actual fern leaf as a stencil and as a stamp. This piece will have many layers of real plant life within the ensuing clear acrylic resin layers as well as a few bug specimens I do believe.

So exciting to watch my crazy notions come to life!!

And if you like progress shots make sure you’re tuning into my Instagram posts + Stories @caleighbirdart because I’m constantly sharing peeks from behind my easel:)

2.12.2020

How to Make a Paint Brush Cleaner

I've got a super simple artist hack to help you make a cleaner for your paint brushes out of an old wire clothes hanger and a glass jar. I use mine in my transportable oil painting kit, so I have solvent in mine, but you can use them for really any kind of paint.

The art store wants to charge you $15-22 for a piece of war in a jar, but we're not going to play that game ;)

Happy twisting!

Materials

• wire clothes hanger

• glass jar

• pliers

• wire snips

• eye protection

PS. If you need to grab some oil painting thinner and you want to support lil Birdie's artistic journey, any purchase thru my special links helps my YouTube channel thrive. Thank you!

Gamsol: https://bit.ly/2H4VUTg

Odorless Mineral Spirits: https://bit.ly/2vhDrA1

2.7.2020