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CitizenOlek β€” Bull Bison in Tall Grass

Published: 2009-01-28 03:06:05 +0000 UTC; Views: 790; Favourites: 22; Downloads: 0
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Description This watercolor was a flop!
Viewers just weren't interested in seeing a large powerful animal portrayed in this way. His own body and the tall grass are obscuring most of his bulk.
Oh well! I painted it with my usual dedication.

What do you think?
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Comments: 30

Mahican-Atim [2010-02-02 04:16:10 +0000 UTC]

I think it's amazing and I think buffalos are amazing creatures too!!!

Well done

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CitizenOlek In reply to Mahican-Atim [2010-02-02 06:12:56 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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Giselle-M [2010-01-31 19:00:29 +0000 UTC]

I like it! It jumped out at me when I was looking through all the thumbs I had open, yours was the only one too! The colors you chose makes him the focus but without negating the background. I am quite picky when it comes to realism, and yours isn't as realistic looking as I usually like these types of paintings but you achieved a balance where everything is equaly none realistic so it is perfect. I hope that made sense!?
The horn and nose area are exceptional!

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CitizenOlek In reply to Giselle-M [2010-01-31 22:32:00 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!
Balance is very important in a painting, so thank you for the nice comment. I cheated with the flowers, painting them over the background (not done in traditional watercolor painting). But the horn and nose were done properly, using the white of the paper to create the highlights, and it paid off.

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Giselle-M In reply to CitizenOlek [2010-01-31 23:59:29 +0000 UTC]

I have to say I was a bit intimidated after I commented on your painting. I went to your gallery and was completely blown away! Your paintings are so good! You have managed to inspire me to try much harder next time I take a paint brush in hand!

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CitizenOlek In reply to Giselle-M [2010-02-01 00:25:41 +0000 UTC]

That's cool!
That is what DA is all about.
I know that I have been very encouraged and inspired by the wonderful works here on DA.

It's very nice to meet you.
Keep in touch ok.

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Giselle-M In reply to CitizenOlek [2010-02-01 02:54:35 +0000 UTC]

Yes dA has inspired me to do so many more projects and has been a great source for new friendships as well
Likewise, I will

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wapiti1986 [2010-01-31 16:23:26 +0000 UTC]

This isnΒ΄t failed at all! The bison looks very detailed...
I saw a bison that near during my holidays in the Yellowstone NP ^^

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CitizenOlek In reply to wapiti1986 [2010-01-31 22:20:42 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

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KahlanAmnellRox [2009-01-29 19:42:01 +0000 UTC]

I think this is a great composition. I really like the idea of this large hulking animal sitting contentedly in the grass. It really shows their peaceful side.

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CitizenOlek In reply to KahlanAmnellRox [2009-01-29 20:01:21 +0000 UTC]

Yaa!
That's the comment I was looking for.
Thank You.

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verybluebird [2009-01-28 13:26:31 +0000 UTC]

That's beautiful; I see nothing wrong with it!
I admire the detail of his face, and the grass is amazing!

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CitizenOlek In reply to verybluebird [2009-01-28 15:40:09 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!
How about the horn?
I liked the way that came out, pure watercolor technique with no white. The shine actually comes from the paper.

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verybluebird In reply to CitizenOlek [2009-01-28 15:44:02 +0000 UTC]

Oh my, I just looked at it again and its wonderful! Amazing job there on the horn!

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CitizenOlek In reply to verybluebird [2009-01-28 15:54:54 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!
I have a tip for you! Try working on the roundness of your subjects when sketching. You know those how to books, with the circle for the head, oval for the body, etc.? I know it sounds silly, but it really works. Keep those lines faint and they won't bother the finished drawing but will enhance it. It will remind you that those objects have roundness. I call it 3 Dimensional thinking.

Looks like you know a lot of animals.
That's really great.

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verybluebird In reply to CitizenOlek [2009-01-28 15:59:07 +0000 UTC]

Oh, thank you so much! I'll keep that in mind. Thanks again; its really helpful!

Yes, I've tried to draw different species, just to broaden my abilities.

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Beautifulzero [2009-01-28 06:36:48 +0000 UTC]

realistic... cool...

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CitizenOlek In reply to Beautifulzero [2009-01-28 15:40:59 +0000 UTC]

TY

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eliskan [2009-01-28 03:35:10 +0000 UTC]

Looking good! The only thing I would've changed myself is like Chiaki-Fuzzy said, his body looks a bit abnormal. It's probably because it's obscured by the grass, but the proportions of what we DO see play a trick on the mind and seem wrong somehow. This may be why this one wasn't as popular

Also, while the grass certainly looks tall, you could've possibly made it seem even taller by pronouncing some of the stalks in the grass. This would make his hidden body seem more understandable.

Hope the criticism helps, keep up the good work

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CitizenOlek In reply to eliskan [2009-01-28 03:44:17 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! Appreciated.

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eliskan In reply to CitizenOlek [2009-01-28 03:55:25 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome Keep up the good work!

By the way, have you ever tried doing faux effects? Like fake wood, modeling, fake marble, stuff like that? It seems to me that 90% of money in artwork is in effects like those, in fact we made about $520 today doing nothing but marble effects on doors and baseboards. If you really are serious about making a living as an artist, it's definately a place to start, even though faux effects aren't technically 'fine art'.

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CitizenOlek In reply to eliskan [2009-01-28 04:28:32 +0000 UTC]

No, I've never tried that.
Thanks for the advice.

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eliskan In reply to CitizenOlek [2009-01-28 04:37:25 +0000 UTC]

Yessuh, it's worth checking out I'm a fan of murals myself, but sometimes you have to do what'll get the bread on your plate

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CitizenOlek In reply to eliskan [2009-01-28 04:39:33 +0000 UTC]

I read ya!

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fractalhead [2009-01-28 03:19:22 +0000 UTC]

...you can almost smell him!

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CitizenOlek In reply to fractalhead [2009-01-28 03:44:40 +0000 UTC]

Ah-choo!

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fractalhead In reply to CitizenOlek [2009-01-28 11:09:48 +0000 UTC]

it's okay....i have no allergies

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ChiakiNeko [2009-01-28 03:13:18 +0000 UTC]

Wow that's beautiful!
except the part where the grass and the body meet looks kind of unnatural..if it were me i think i would've drawn more of the buffalo and then done the grass with acrylic. Meh, but that might not have worked...i'm not sure xP
But great job anyway!! ^-6

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CitizenOlek In reply to ChiakiNeko [2009-01-28 03:16:11 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the comment.

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ChiakiNeko In reply to CitizenOlek [2009-01-28 03:30:38 +0000 UTC]

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