The other day I worked on an egret platter. I decided to show this egret in the water because I'm still thinking of how to paint an egret on a dock. The egret feels stiff to me. In real life, though, that's how egrets stand in the water waiting to catch their prey, almost statue like.
I mix mason stains with stoneware slip and store the colored slip in half pint mason jars. When I'm ready to use the colors I mix small batches in glass condiment dishes to the consistency I want for hand brushing on the slab of clay. I also use some commercial underglaze colors. After the colored slip and/or underglazes dry I form up the sides of the platter. The egret appears more beige than white in the photograph. I'm hoping it will fire white since I added white extender to the slip. We'll see about that. I think the black legs appear stark I may add some dark gray for shading. I made the water dark and light gray because in my
white egret photographs from last week the water actually appears gray. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
That's going to be a good looking bird. Whites are so difficult because the color variations are so subtle. Keep on trucking!
ReplyDeleteI think you've captured the egret really well, they are a still bird when not in flight.
ReplyDeleteHello Linda:
ReplyDeleteWe really do think the Egret very attractive as you have portrayed it. We should not think to change anything.
Very nice! I listened to an interview with a wood sculptor on NPR a couple of weeks ago. He carves leaves and trees. I wish I could remember his name. He said his work was always precise, he studied real trees and leaves extensively. In the recent past he was asked to reconstruct a portion of carved panels created by a famous sculptor. When he was able to see the work up close he realized that this artists leaves weren't exact replicas, they were his own interpretation of what the leaves were, and this was what gave them their life. This realization changed the artists work moving forward. Perhaps this is why you feel your egret is "stiff". As you paint more egrets they will become your own and they will come alive!
ReplyDeleteIt's always a good sign for me when someone else's progress makes me want to try myself...
ReplyDeleteI had a strong feeling you would do a piece with an egret after reading your previous post with the photo you took of one. I think your egret looks just fine...but you are the artist...if you need to tweek it go for it. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Linda
ReplyDeleteI think you have captured his stillness in the water. Looking forward to seeing the fired piece.
Echoing Anna. I am really, really looking forward to seeing this beautiful bird after he has been fired. Is your kiln fixed yet?
ReplyDeleteHi Suzi, thanks, I see what you mean about the whites. I think the last time I mixed the white extender it looked more what but that was against a lighter background, we shall see.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks, I'll do a few more egrets to see what other stances I can achieve.
Hi Jane and Lance, thanks, there is a fine line to adjusting and then going too far I may have to leave this one alone and try something different on the next one.
Hi Michele, thanks, you bring up a good point about the intrepretation of the bird. Perhaps because I saw the bird so close I could see the life in him and the plate plate isn't the same as the bird as I remember seeing in person. I will have to think about this and let myself go while painting a few more birds with slip to see what I come up with.
Hi Patrycja, thanks for your comments and for visiting.
Hi Mary, thanks, check out my next post on the books I found at the library, there is always something to learn and I love loosing myself in the techniques.
Hi Dee, thanks, I may leave this one alone and try a few more and see what I come up with.
Hi Anna, thanks, I'm still waiting on my relays so hopefully I'll have some firings coming up soon.
Hi Elephant's Child, thanks, there was a discrepancy as to whether I had two relays with my kiln or three and I do have three so I have them on order, wanted to replace them all at the same time, much like one would redo opposing bearings on a car rather than just one. Soon, I hope, soon.