Egrets, after Three Weeks' Work

© Ellen Blonder

Changes are harder to see now. I did add a plant to the lower left corner, and spent a lot of time refining the big plant in the middle in front of the birds. 

Father's Day Foodie Break

© Ellen Blonder

Foodie break for Father's Day to make Nick's favorite semolina cake, also with almond meal, orange, and layers of marzipan and apricot jam under the chocolate icing. Let me know if you want the recipe. 

Egrets, Days 16 and 17

© Ellen Blonder

The last couple of days have been slow, gradually shading the feathers on the egret on the right. Once it was done, I decided to refine the branch coming in from the right. Next I'll add light and shadow to it. The lower left corner remains unresolved.

Egrets, Days 14 and 15

© Ellen Blonder

Progress feels slow as I paint in the grass and add details to the foreground plants. As I do, I also need to adjust the whites in the egret feathers. I'm not sure yet what to add to the lower left corner, if anything.

Egrets, Day 13

© Ellen Blonder

Try as I might, I never seem to be able to lay something out in final form from the start. I thought I'd be putting two egrets in a grassy field, but it looked flat and boring. Today, I started "planting" a garden for them instead.

Egrets, Day 12

© Ellen Blonder

I had originally intended to put the egrets in a grassy field, but I can't seem to help myself adding other plants. I'm just getting started.

Egrets, Day 11

© Ellen Blonder

After a week and a half of houseguests, I'm finally painting again, mostly refining the shading on feathers and darkening legs and grass.