Sunday 24 February 2013

Merlin Harp

I'm never happier than when painting birds (especially brids of prey).
So when a customer asked for a Merlin on her soundboard I was delighted to oblige!

39 comments:

  1. Pretty Merlin, I thought that was a real Merlin, lol.

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  2. An absolutely beautiful job! Your customer must be delighted with it all.

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  3. Hee, hee yes Bob, the ones I've seen in real-life have usually been rather more scrappy than this guy!

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    1. Thanks also Ann. I hope she will be pleased when the harp is strung up and finished.

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  4. Absolutely stunning, Jerry! You are so talented!!

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    1. Thanks Tammy - do you get Merlins in your part of USA?

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  5. Your portrait is beautiful Jerry:) I could not believe how incredibly accurate your painting is of this small raptor.Through your love of birds and painting you have produced a lovely peice of work Jerry, which I'm sure will be much admired, not omly by your customer, but by everyone who sees it.

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    1. I'm glad you like is Sonjia. I think the strings will go on the harp the end of this week so once it's settled down and I've fitted the semitone-levers they will get it and I'll find out then if it's what they are hoping for. Always the nervous part for us.

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  6. What a beautiful bird portrait Jerry :) I would imagine your customer will be over the moon - its stunning :)

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    1. Thanks so much, yes I hope they will be happy.

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  7. A fantastic merlin, so delicate but lively,very fine art!!! Congratulations Jerry you are a naturalist painter really great and a wonderful artist maker of musical instruments!!!

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    1. Thank you Rita. I think it suited acrylics particularly well. It was fun to paint but I still prefer seeing them for real in the wild.

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  8. Wow! You painted this? It's amazing!
    Gosh - what a talent you have for this! It's beautiful :0)

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  9. Hi again Jerry - I can't seem to find an email address to reply to the lovely comment you left on my blog. Maybe you could forward it to me?
    Anyway - to answer your question, I use a Faber Castle pigment liner pen. The one I used to use was the finest 0.3 tip, but I wore it out! This one is thicker and to be honest, I don't like it. I just need to get around to picking up a new, finer one. And I can so relate to what you said about spending to much time 'finishing' a sketch. I was guilty of the same thing and they quickly lost their character and appeal as a result. That's why this challenge has helped me. I find it such a chore now (on day 53) that I find myself getting it done in as fewer lines as possible! Now it's becoming the natural way for me. When the challenge is over I'm planning to sketch 2-3 times a week but spend a little more time and maybe add a splash of colour - but I'll be careful not to get too pedantic again. The main thing is keeping the habit :0)

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    1. Sandra, it's mutual appreciation time with your first comment as I'm always blown away by what you do - your bears look stunningly life-like, as though you could just pick one up and give it a huge hug! Thanks for the liner pen info, yes drawing with just the minimum amount of lines is a great skill and not one I have! But as they say, practice makes perfect! P.S. I'll drop you a line with my email.

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  10. Qué delicada pintura, Jerry. He estado viendo fotografías del esmerejón (Merlin en inglés) y captaste hasta el mínimo detalle. Enhorabuena.

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    1. Thanks Francesc. The Merlin on this soundboard is a Male and when this 'bright' would be ready to breed. However, when we are fortunate enough to see one here in South-East England it is nearly always in the Winter and looking a little less smart.

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  11. Hola Jerry. Te felicito, es un halcón muy hermoso, estoy segura que el dueño del arpa se sentirá muy afortunado de poseerlo. Un abrazo.

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    1. Hi Sonia. Yes it is painted in a different style to how I might paint just for my own pleasure. But I find painting in quite a detailed way often works best on a harp.

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  12. Dear Jerry ,may I have your mail adress( on ritavaselli@gmail.com) to send you a little thought...Thanks,Rita.

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  13. Oh Jerry what a lovely image just flew onto my PC this morning. Your Merlin is fabulous. Great detail and perfect choice of colours.

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    1. I'm so glad you like it Laura - thanks for such lovely comments.

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  14. Beautiful painting you are so talented

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    1. Thank you Julie, that's very kind of you to say so.

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  15. I hope you do more of these bird paintings, Jerry!!! I'm speechless..you did an AMAZING job!!

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    1. Thanks for such a lovely comment Hilda! Yes I'd love to do more birds but I'm governed by whatever customers want.

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  16. Really beautiful Jerry! I'm sure the customer will be delighted :-)

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  17. This is incredibly beautiful, wonderfully detailed...looks so real ! Have a nice weekend !

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    1. Thank you Jane, I'm pleased you liked looking at it - have a great weekend yourself!

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  18. Amazing details Jerry.....very beautiful.

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  19. so refined ..beautifully done jerry ..i'm sure your client was very happy too ... lots of moths here to ..your phot below is lovely.

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    1. Thanks Jane, however, this tyle of painting lacks the lovely spontaneity of your wonderful art. Weather has put a dampener on the moths at the moment though.

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