RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 I put another layer of Sepia on the Buffalo. I'm debating whether to add in some green trees on its back to reflect the trees that are on the mountain in reality. I also add a few layers of Cobalt blue and a darker mix of blues to Mt. Rundle. My usual process of painting is to start from the top and work down. That means the Chief is next in line. I'm feeling I want to layer in the earth first that is between the trees and the lake. I'll then colour in the trees, do the fish and lastly the Cheif. He is a key part of the painting, so I want to make sure all revolves around him.

RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 There are multiple layers in the hide of the buffalo. I first lay down a layer of raw umber, then with a fine bristle brush stroke in layers of sepia which a blackish brown. While I let these layers dry, I start thinking of colours for Mt. Rundle. One thing I need to remember is that the face of Rundle in my view has no sun on it, so it needs to be darker to give some contrast to all the brighter colours.

RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 

The dance with Raven Over Rundle begins to slow down. I take the time to really look at what I am painting, and try to interlock colours, image and thought together. I paint Raven in a dark black and add the same to parts to the towers of Mt. Rundle. I capture the rich purple of the sky and place it on the left peaks of the Fairholme Range. I sit and ponder on the next piece of the puzzle......Sleeping Buffalo.

RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 

It's interesting how the painting evolves before my eyes. As the sky dries, I do my first layer of Vermilion Lake. I then remove the masking on the Raven and around the mountains that is used to create a crisp, sharp line. Pondering on how to paint Sleeping Buffalo.........use browns like a buffalo, or greens to represent trees? Maybe both. The Chief will be an interesting journey to work on.

RAVEN OVER SLEEPING BUFFALO-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 

I began creating Raven Over Sleeping Buffalo mid April, 2020. April 21 I had a bike crash, with results being a compound fracture in my right elbow, nerve damage in my right arm/hand, concussion, bruised ribs, and spine damage. It has been a long road of recovery, with many more miles to travel.

I have looked at this canvas like an addict looking at a cigarette or an alcoholic at a bottle. I have wanted so much to paint, but I have been scared. For a while I couldn't hold a brush in my hand, nor control it. I have done small, quick 5 minute sketches, but that's all. 

I'm not sure what happened today. I was out in the fresh air, ravens overhead and a light snowfall tickling my nose as I walked thru the trees. I did a quick sketch outside and was pleased with putting pen/brush to paper. When I got home, Raven Over Sleeping Buffalo was calling me, and I went to my studio and began to paint. 

I always begin with the sky, as it sets the mood for the rest of the painting. I wanted to capture the darkening of the sky as it passes into night, the brightness of blues in midday, and the collision of colours in the early morn. As the sky dries my brush will wander down to the Vermilion Lake where I want to capture the cool glacial turquoise and green of the cold water.

ROBERT KRYSAK WATERCOLOUR CARDS FOR SALE-CANADIAN ROCKIES

 

RAVEN OVER RUNDLE-CANADIAN ROCKIES

I have now masked in most of the areas on the canvas I want to have a clean, sharp line afterward. My challenge now is to decide what the sky is going to look like. One part of me wants colours streaming across the sky following the raven. The other side wants that crisp, icy blue you find in the mountains in the Spring. Usually, a meditation session helps me visualize what is next in the journey. We'll see what is offered and put it to the canvas.