Black Swallowtail 2

I painted this photo in January using watercolors here, and wanted to see if I could accomplish any of the same things with oils and my palette knives. Not sure I could. In the photo there is more variation in the green behind the butterfly and flower. I did some underpainting, and let it peek through a bit. When I try to get a few different greens going, no matter how close they are, it starts to look like sponge painting--that is not the look I'm into. Instead I kept the background thin and layered the paint more thickly in the flower and butterfly.

6x8 Oil Palette Knife Painting

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A Black Swallowtail

I took this photograph years ago and have always wanted to paint it. With watercolors I can just grab my little papers, pen, and travel paints and do it. The process for what I'm doing is just so much more convenient, especially with two boys underfoot. I mix as I go instead of mixing out the whole palette as I do with my oils. Hmmm. Maybe I will give this a try with oils--risky!

4x6 watercolor on paper

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