Ivory Rooster - Final

© Ellen Blonder

I finally finished adding blades of grass underfoot. Also, I repositioned the uppermost chick because I didn't like the head-on symmetry of it. I hope you can appreciate what a magnificent guy this rooster is, and sense the mutual protectiveness between him and the hen. Time to give the size 0 brush a rest.

Ivory Rooster 6

© Ellen Blonder

One of these days, I may learn to paint details under overlapping foliage first, but I'm usually too impatient to see larger color masses first. I've added details to the purple leaves behind the hen, and still have to add elements to the foreground.

Ivory Rooster 5

© Ellen Blonder

© Ellen Blonder

I packed the unfinished painting back to the mainland, saying good-bye to the rooster and hen that I saw nearly every day. I doubt they will still be there next year. All the chicks have grown remarkably during my two months in Kauai. Catch as catch can, I've done most of the rooster and begun on the surrounding foliage.

Ivory Rooster 4

© Ellen Blonder

Now that the hen is mostly done, I've added details to the chicks and started on the rooster. I'm liking how his tail feathers help frame the hen's head. 

Ivory Rooster 3

© Ellen Blonder

© Ellen Blonder

Since the hen is a big brown mass, I thought I'd better paint her in first. She looks a bit drab compared with the rooster, but her feathers are quietly beautiful.

Ivory Rooster 2

© Ellen Blonder

I'm resisting the urge to add flowers, so that the red in the rooster's and hen's faces will be the brightest spots. Today, I added some thin acrylic washes to help me see the color masses.

Ivory Rooster 1

© Ellen Blonder

A handsome couple on the bike path in Kauai has caught my eye. The rooster is all ivory and black, with no copper feathers. He's always accompanied by his hen. I'm going to take license to add some chicks, because this year, I have never seen so many of them along my walks.

I've started a sketch on a 16 x 20-inch canvas board.