Fathomless (Final)

Fathomless
Mixed Media

Remember the start of this piece? You probably don't, because I completed it awhile back, but I have not shared it with you all. Here is a refresher, a post about it in the middle stage of development is here: http://ambergoulet-art.blogspot.com/2010/03/catfish-piece-inbetween-stage.html. Early detail photo post: http://ambergoulet-art.blogspot.com/2010/02/large-catfish-3.html. This is the post that covers the initial idea development for this piece: http://ambergoulet-art.blogspot.com/2009/09/fun-begins-it-is-friday.html. Wow, I did a lot of posts about this piece. Here is the first post about this piece, way back to the event that inspired it: http://ambergoulet-art.blogspot.com/2009/09/preview-of-coming-attractions.html. So, now I've shared the last stage and you've seen the process start to finish. :)

Catfish Piece Inbetween Stage

I'm Here Now

I got a chance to work on my catfish piece again. I went over the original painting with some open acrylics, which are much better handling in the warm dry weather we are having here now. I'm at the point now where the next step is to start adding collage.

I Will Be
The whole lower half will be mostly covered with the lacelike paper in the photo above. I tinted the paper today. Keep in mind that the fish will not be entirely covered with the paper, but the paper will help lessen their dominance. I will also be collaging on the large fish on the upper half and perhaps a bit in the clouds. I can't wait to start on the next step, hopefully later this week.

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed your visit. :) Feel free to leave a comment.

Large Catfish #3

Here is a sneak peak at my catfish piece in progress. I've been working on it a bit today and I thought a view of one of the larger catfish on the lower half would be fun to share. This will actually be partly covered by an airy transparent paper to give a nice depth, a watery feel, and keep the focal point at the top of the piece. Thanks for looking! :) Enjoy!

Catfish Project Progress

I've finally gotten to starting on the catfish final. I posted about this ages ago, but it never got past the initial idea phase.

So yesterday, on the 18th, I was free to work it up. I've basically finished the final drawing on watercolor illustration board. It is about 37 inches long and 18 inches wide. Some aspects of this piece will be very hard to imagine in drawing form, but I'll share it anyhow. The small male figure was just drawn out of my head so I'll be getting reference for him before I finalize him. The photos have come out wonky but you'll get the idea. Enjoy! And any feedback is appreciated!

A Preview of Coming Attractions ;)

The Encounter
The other night I saw, for the first time, a swarm of many large catfish coming to the surface. It was almost dark, and all I could see was dark shadows, slimy whiskers, and wide mouths. They had come to snatch bird pellets away from startled ducks and coots.

It was vaguely scary for them to come out of the dark. I didn't worry that they'd eat me, of course. It was simply mysterious. Mystery tends, in my experience, to send a thrill through us wee humans. And animals of all sorts met up close will always inspire my contemplative side.

The Result
I'm not sure if it was the time of night, all silhouettes and the sun's last glow. Or if it was that a creature was coming from a place that I hadn't considered much. But, the experience made me want to make art.

I'll be posting a beginning of this project for my sketch this Friday.

The catfish photo is from deviantart by Slopjockey.
The twilight landscape is one of my own photos. ;)