I finished up the river rock painting. I sprayed it with fixative (Thanks Paula!) and then did more painting on top.
So here’s the piece with water added. I had to do several layers to get the shadows and the highlights working better. But I’m pleased with the outcome. Painting water is hard!
This ruffed grouse was in the choke cherry tree behind our house. My brother-in-law got a great photo that I used to sketch by. He or she has some beautiful feathers and after sketching him/her, I can see why the name is Ruffed Grouse. He/she definitely has a ruff around his/her neck. And this bird is hefty! It’s in the same family as chickens and he/she did look like a chicken in the tree.
Have a great weekend!
Ruth Lane Art 
Your painting of water is wonderful! Seeing a bird a large as a chicken in the tree would be a bit of a surprise! Well sketched. Beautiful markings on the bird.
Thanks Lyn! The grouse are really pretty when you study them closely. They are funny to see in the trees.
The rocks look great with water added! That bird must have looked funny sitting in the tree!
Thanks Karen, I was pleased with the water since I was a bit hesitant about getting it to look right. The grouse are kind of funny birds.
The whole painting turned out great Ruth. And yes seeing a chicken size bird in a tree would be a first. Nice sketch.
Thanks Marilyn! The grouse get into our trees on a regular basis. But they look like big lumps most of the time.
Haha!
Looking at the enlarged picture of your rocks I can see all your hard work in the details – turned out well.
Lumpy grouse regularly in your tree – today we had a hawk land on our patio….a total surprise with it watching us watching it!
Thanks Antje! I am happy with the results. What fun to see a hawk up close.