Monday, January 2, 2012

Baaaad Approach to Painting.




 I don't like sheep.
Well, it's not that I don't like them,
I just don't know them well.

Let me explain:

There is one down-side to being a painter:
people like to utilize it.
It's nice of them really,
to find things to paint for them
so when it comes to Christmas or their birthday,
I don't have to wonder what they'd like.

And that they have that kind of confidence in my ability
is humbling.

And a bit fear-instilling.



My sister-in-law gave me a metal bucket with a lid a couple years back,
maybe a few more years than that,
and told me I could paint her something on it for Christmas.

Well, this Christmas, I decided the bucket needed to go,
so I kicked it.

Just kidding.
I'm still here.
I couldn't resist.

 Okay, so I base-coated the area I decided to paint with slate colored
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

 
 (You can tell by my paint cans that I am a very neat person).




I mixed up some colors for sky:
brown, red, white, and yellow,...



and painted it on loosely,
letting the center area be slightly lighter
and the top and bottom skyline be a bit darker.


I added the ground, too.

Then I was stuck.

I thought about letting the bucket sit for another season...



Rrrrrr.


Nope.


 My sister-in-law raises Icelandic sheep.

I don't like painting sheep.

You'd think they're just cotton balls on legs, 
toothpicks for legs would do;
but that is a very wrong misconception.

They actually have a skeletal structure under that mass of woolly mess,
and some facial features as well.

I found a nice image on the Graphic's Fairy blog

 


and one I liked on Pinterest:




I roughly drew and then base-coated them in.



Roughly.


And then the time came that I just kept stalling...




trying out different paint-brushes,...





"I don't like sheep."





checking on,
and then consuming,
more hot chocolate;...


trying to find a decent movie or something worth watching
on one of the two channels we get;


checking to see if my shirt was dry so I could iron it for the next day.


Finally, I stopped to ad background


 

and pieces of sheep,



as I felt ready to conquer these frustrating creatures.



It's surprising I didn't wake up this one
with my random,

"I hate sheep!"
exclamations.


But he was coming down with the flu at the time,
so he was gone.

Poor man.



Finally,
I had something that resembled sheep.







These guys, I think, are better viewed at a distance.
A true shepherd might laugh at their cartoonish appearance.



Still, the deed was done
and the gift given.

 Please,

no more expectations of sheep.


I might just glue on cotton balls with toothpicks.

23 comments:

  1. Beautiful sheep! Sheep'll (I mean she'll) looove it. I adore sheep. Not baaaad, not baaad at all...
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

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  2. I think you did a fantastic job! I love the paintings.

    xox

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  3. they are beautiful! but i can relate to that expectation that you can draw/paint anything and the intimidation that comes with it! you did a great job!

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  4. Well for someone who hates sheep you did a really great job!.. Love it!

    Over from Brag Monday!

    Maddie

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  5. I agree you did a terrific job - I'd never have guessed that you felt so vehemently about sheep.

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  6. I'm sure she loved it!

    How lucky they are to be able to just ask for a piece of art and get one...You are a very good relative to have.

    ;)

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  7. Love your creativity! And I love sheep--you can look deeply into their eyes and see....nothing! Ha!

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  8. Ohhh....I LOVE sheep!!! Being a non-painter (or should I say "ex-painter," but one who only took on one sheep ever and it was NOT intended to fall in the realism school), I can't say I've ever thought about the "challenges" that come with portraying them in paint....You will have me looking differently at every painted sheep from now on. And for the record, I think you did an amazing job....If sis isn't satisfied with your wonderful gift, perhaps we can work something out.... ;o) Wishing you a smile-filled week.....Hugs ~ Robin

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  9. As some who loves sheep, I adore your painted can. You can paint sheep they are beautiful and their faces show character.

    J x

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  10. I think your sheep turned out to be adorable!!! And as a fellow painter I can totally relate to being "stuck" - but you worked through it in fine shape! Here's to hanging in there!

    Happy New Year!

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  11. well, for someone who doesnt like sheep you sure painted them well! it looks great!~

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  12. I think you did a fantastic job!! I love them and I'm not a big fan of sheep myself! Great job!!!

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  13. LOL! Well that bucket looks fantastic! The sheep are just adorable! Visting from Life Made Lovely.

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  14. Lovely turn out despite your dislike of sheep! I am not a sheep person either. I have a link up on 1 of my sites like up anytime its on the navigation bar. You are living the life I once led. Now I live in a small city & in town. Happy New Year! A new follower. Theresa aka Fawn on DearCreatives.com

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  15. Maybe I should proof read! lol (link up)

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  16. Are you a natural born artist or did you take art lessons? I love your work. I so wish I could paint, but what I see in my mind doesn't translate to my hands. Doggone.

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  17. Does that mean you won't make another for me? I LOVE sheep and I LOVE this. I Want! (sigh)

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  18. I think you better start liking sheep, cause you a super job!! I adore sheep, but I've never tried to paint them, I'm sure your sil is thrilled!! thanks so much for linking up with VIF! xo

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  19. Terrific job! Thank you for linking this lovely post to Potpourri Friday!

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  20. Another wonderful Post!
    Love the sheep! You are very talented.

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  21. I am sure she loved it! I need a family member that paints...well one that paints so I know what it is!! I have several things in my head....but alas...no painters in my family, unless of course you count my husband who thinks he can paint walls...shhh, I didn't say that!

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  22. i'm sorry....i LOVE sheep too...and i thing the pail is adorable...i bet she loved it!

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