New DVD Release - "SHALLOW FALLS"

I’m happy to announce that Jerry’s Artarama has just released my newest Oil Painting Dvd, entitled “SHALLOW FALLS”.
This project utilizes an Acrylic basecoat, over which Oils are applied. The key to this approach is in letting the dark background show through, which yields a great deal of depth to the rocks and water areas. Tips for rendering foliage are also highlighted.
Also, for you budding Watercolorists, be on the look-out for my next instructional Dvd , “NEW ENGLAND WINTER”, which will be available in the very near future.
This lesson will focus on many common Watercolor techniques, such as using “paper white”, masking fluid, wet washes and dry-brush texture.
Both videos are presented in a straightforward, step-by-step approach, which is suitable for all skill levels.
Visit http://www.wilsonbickford.com/ or http://www.jerrysartarama.com/ for more information.

"Chickadee On Cattail" 10" x 20" Oil on panel

I've had this design in my head for a few days now, after seeing a photo of another bird on a cattail stalk. It wasn't a chickadee and this painting looks nothing like the photo, but it definitely planted the seed of the idea.

Also, I wanted to do something different with it, in terms of the format. Therefore, the "mat" is actually a border which I painted with Acrylics. By doing this, I was able to "extend" the bird's tail, leaf and stalk forward, giving it a very pronounced 3-dimensional feel.

I've done this type of theme many times over the years and there's no doubt that it is popular with my customers.

Recent Commission

This was painted from a client's photo, which was taken from the veranda of their Florida home.

It was an absolutely wonderful photo and when I was asked to recreate it on canvas, I could hardly wait to get started. The sway of the grasses actually made me feel the slight breeze on my face.

Sometimes a photo or painting can "send" the viewer there, right to the location of the scene and this photo did that for me.

This is Oils on a 24" x 30" Gallery Wrap canvas ( 1-1/2" thick ) with painted edges, so it's rather impressive in person, just due to the bigger size.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent on this!

Knife Paintings

Here are a couple of smaller paintings I did today, using only painting knives. Sometimes, I like to approach things with a looser style and forgo some of the finer details.

The knives always yield a more impressionistic result.

I also tend to use brighter colors when I paint this way, since I'm trying to achieve something not quite so "literal". It's fun to push the envelope a little.

If you're in a painting rut, or itching to do something different, give this knife approach a try.

Just have fun with it and see what develops!

Adirondack Chair Donation

The local library recently asked me ( as well as other area artists, too ) to "decorate" some Adirondack chairs which they will raffle for their cause. The chairs were bare pine wood and we were given free reign as to how we chose to embellish them.

I looked at this one for a few weeks before deciding on the loon theme. I had some landscape ideas in mind, too, but eventually the loon won out.

I started with a coat of the blue-green base, which I had mixed at the hardware store, then used oils over that. I also added alkyd medium to the oils to speed the drying, so that I can seal the whole thing and not have to wait the recommended 6 months.

I hope their auction is a success!

Pet Portrait Commission

This is a very recent commission for a good friend of mine, who lost a beloved pet friend not too long ago. I have done many of these paintings over the years and I currently have more of them scheduled, which will be fit into my schedule when time permits.

These commissions have to be handled with attention to detail, respect and sensitivity, as they are a record meant to immortalize a dear friend and companion. Those of us who are true animal lovers and pet owners can relate to the deep bond we share with our "furry friends".

They are affectionate and loyal to a fault and only desire the same from us in return.

"Man's best friend is his dog" ( or cat, ferret, bird, whatever ) is one of the truest statements ever written.

"Along the Beach" 8" x 10"

I felt like doing a seascape this morning, so this is the result. Actually, I had recently seen a backlit image somewhat similar to this, either in a magazine or somewhere ( I can't really remember, for sure ) and just worked by my memory of it. I really liked the contrast of the dark water against the light sky and it was stuck in my head 'til I finally laid it down here.

It's funny how some subjects will haunt you! lol Landscape today, still life tomorrow, floral the next day. It's ALL good and it's what keeps art interesting. Don't let yourself get into rut of creating the same thing.

I underpainted the water area with Purple and Black Acrylic, before laying Oils over the top. The underpainting really aids in the illusion of the water's depth.