The process

The tapirs are beginning to take shape.

The very first thing I do is to set up an interesting 'ground'. I do this with some modeling paste and a comb like tool.

Next, I paint a colour background (in this instance - red, though later I will use yellow and maybe a blue/green)

Then, I put down the shape of the tapir ... simply, graphically.

The next step is to put in some background (I have a liking for Naples Yellow - always have, can't explain it!)

Then it's a once over with some sandpaper ... this bring out the background texture. This is the real fun part as it's where those accidental shapes, colours and textures happen.

So the next steps will be adding the subtleties like colour washes and varnishes.

What 26 canvasses looks like

Cleaned out the art store today. Twenty six 5" x 4" s was all they had. Four more on order - probably in store in the next few days. 28 days to go!
A big thanks to all the Tapir people from last year that have contacted me so far and are willing to join in on the celebration again this year.

Chunky canvases

With thirty 5" x 4" painting to produce, the challenge will be to have each one distinctive. One way I can acheive this is to use different colour base layers. The two pictures shown here have differing base colours .... one blue and one green. I like how a simple flat colour laid down as a foundation can influence the final image. I use sandpaper on occasions to bring that colour from the base to the fore, see Tapir A

You can also see the thickness of the canvases .... 'kinda chunky'. I will vary the colours here too.

A start, with 35 days to go.

These first images here are fairly abstract, simplified. I hope that in the coming 35 days I will produce some differing styles .... I'd like to produce some more realistic tapir pictures before I'm done.