It's all gone to the birds (seagulls)

I've been invaded by seagulls!!!  Living near the ocean, it's hard not to see seagulls every day.  Usually I try to pay them as little mind as possible.  For some strange reason, I got a hankering for painting them.  Here is what I came up with.  One I did on my lunch hour, and one I did in the studio.

There are bits of both that I really like, and bits on both that I wish I could do over again.   I'll not go into what things are which, but let you all take a guess at it.

On both of these, I started drawing from the head, and, as it turned out, should have either made the head smaller or started higher up on the page.  The bird kind of ran off the bottom of the paper. For me its not a big deal since I don't like painting feet anyway, but it would have made a bit nicer picture if the bird was planted on something.

As in the past, I did make a video of myself painting this seagull.  If you have an interest, please check out the video below.

Thanks for the quick read, and I hope you enjoy the paintings.

Mermaid

My daughter's best friend is going through a mermaid phase right now and asked if I would paint one for her.  I, of course, said I would.  I first had to find an image, then draw it out of course.  What followed is this painting of a mermaid.  It's not the best painting of a mermaid, but I think its a really good first try.

My favorite part of this painting is the ribs on the tail.  I think they turned out really well.  The next painting will probably have some scales, or some such.  And I'm always looking to work on hair.

I got about half way through this painting and then thought I needed to have her sit on something, so the rock is somewhat improvised, but I think it mostly works.

I've also made a video to go along with this.  As if you hadn't seen that coming.

Sea Gull

Alas, that ever present bird has made a comeback on Dabfly Arts.  Living by the water, I see them every day.  Some days they look like they are having fun floating on gentle ocean breezes, others they look like they are hating life trying to stay warm in a cold winter wind.  This guy falls into the former category.  He is definitely loving life.   Nice warm climate, a nice dock to stand on.

Birds are fun to paint.  I don't know why I like them so much.  I guess its because each one has its own personality.  Every bird I paint gets its own story.  This one is definitely looking at something on the dock.  Maybe a tasty bit of food has blown onto the wood, he has just seen it, and it about to go over and have a snack.

Whatever his real story, he was a blast to paint.  I hope you enjoy it.  If you want to see how I did it, I have, as has become my custom, made a video of it.  You can see it below.  Thanks for the read, and the view if you have the inclination.

Sea Lions on a Buoy

What is cooler than a bunch of Sea Lions lounging on a buoy in the ocean.  If you are a sea lion, then nothing.  These guys are just snoozing and watching life pass them by.  It sure was nice of someone to put this out in the harbor for them to sleep on.

If you are a mainlander and haven't come across sea lions before, you really need to make a trip to the coast to find some.

I live a half mile from the Pacific Ocean and I can hear them barking all night long.  I don't know how far their voices carry, but it sounds like they are just across the street.

When you encounter them in the wild, they are naturally inquisitive and, of course, always  looking for a bite to eat.  They patrol the harbor hoping to get anything that might fall off a fishing boat, or whatever tourists toss to them  (don't do the latter, please).

Anyway.  This one was a hoot to paint, and if I do say so myself, turned out pretty good.  I've got a speed painting of it. If you can spend a few minutes it's not a bad view.

Spooners Cove, Montana De Oro, Los Osos, California

This is  a little cove out here in the State Park  just south of Morro Bay.  There is nothing around for miles.  Every time I see it, I think there is gonna be a pirate ship anchored just off shore.

Hope you like it.