Alex Warnick- Natural History Artist
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Watercolor Birds Inspired by Old Masters

2/16/2019

6 Comments

 
I like to experiment with new techniques when there’s a deadline looming. It raises the stakes, and there's added pressure to create something successful out of the experiment. When a painting begins to go south I don’t have the luxury of setting it aside. I’m forced to work through challenges and learn some of my best lessons in the process.

I recently conducted one of these experiments in preparation for a small works show in New Hampshire. I had a goal to stretch outside of my color comfort zone, and turned to the old masters for inspiration—Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Edgar Payne, etc. The colors in a painting by John Lavery immediately reminded me of a Red-winged Blackbird and rose mallow. That led me to choose a different historical painting as the initial inspiration for each of the watercolors in my small works series.​ Instead of using a bird as the foundation for each design, I let the colors  define the composition. 

The birds below are the result of this experiment, and each is paired with the original painting that inspired it.
Red-winged Blackbird by Alex Warnick
"Red-winged Blackbird and Rose Mallow"
Female Red-winged Blackbird by Alex Warnick
"Red-winged Blackbird and Autumn Olive"
American Goldfinch and Mistflower by Alex Warnick
"American Goldfinch and Mistflower"
Eastern Towhee by Alex Warnick
"Autumn Eastern Towhee"
Sewing in the Shade by John Lavery
"Sewing in the Shade" by John Lavery
Spanish Landscape by John Singer Sargent
"Spanish Landscape" by John Singer Sargent
Sunset by Winslow Homer
"Sunset" by Winslow Homer
Landscape by Edgar Payne
Landscape by Edgar Payne
6 Comments
Tara Rodden Robinson link
3/1/2019 08:03:33 pm

What a brilliant idea! I love the qualities the different palettes give each painting.

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Alex
3/2/2019 04:12:26 pm

Thanks Tara! It was fun to mix up the process a bit and try something new. I’d love to do another series again someday!

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3/2/2019 04:38:56 pm

By just looking at your final products, I cannot say that it was a painting made out of experiment! Everything was just on point; even the color mixing you've been doubting was exceptionally done, and it doesn't look like an experiment to me! Well, once you have the eye and the hand on painting, you really have it no matter what happens. I believe that you are born to paint, that's why you still did excellent despite the fact of having these painting using only water colors!

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Alex
3/3/2019 01:59:57 pm

Thank you for those kind words! As an artist, confidence can fluctuate, and your encouragement means a lot!

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David
7/29/2019 09:53:09 am

Hello Alex, Wonder paintings. I really like this experiment in particular and I will take this and apply it as a challenge to my paintings as well. This is a very intriguing idea that I'm really looking forward to trying. I have a bird series I've been working in, and this idea will prove most helpful!

I saw your interview with Andrew Tischler, great information, thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with selling your art. That has been my biggest hurdle, crossing into actual sales. I'm building up quite an inventory that I may one day be able to sell. Cheers and happy painting!

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Alex
7/29/2019 04:36:20 pm

Hi David! This old master color experiment was a lot of fun, I definitely recommend giving it a try.

I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the podcast with Andrew Tischler! It was great chatting with him. Getting those first painting sales always seems like the biggest hurdle! Thanks again for the message, and good luck in all of your own artistic endeavors!

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