The Elusive Kingfisher

11x14 acrylic on canvas Critique welcome! This was my first really detailed painting and thought it was fun! Still not happy with the background. I think I need to invest in a medium for acrylics. Any suggestions? I feel like everytime I try to do a wash with water I have issues.. I can never get it right fast enough!

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Comment by Adrienne DeSaulniers on November 21, 2016 at 6:29: thank you michael! i was wondering about that. i darkened up my background more and more and didn't think to adjust my lights..

Comment by Michael J. Severin on November 20, 2016 at 18:02: Hi Adrienne. Your painting looks great! Just needs a few adjustments to the background. I like the gradation of your background, but the light part is much to bright for being up there in the corner of your painting ... takes away from the bird .. a little more subtle perhaps. If you feel adventurous, paint a glaze of Indian Yellow over your background ..you might be pleasantly surprised.

Comment by Adrienne DeSaulniers on November 20, 2016 at 12:02: Thank you jess! I'll keep an eye out for it next time I go to the store. Thanks Tammy for your tips! I'll write them down and try it out on my next one!!

Comment by Tammy Wolcott on November 20, 2016 at 11:18: Hi Adrienne. I really like both your kingfisher and your background but if you find it difficult I have a possible suggestion on painting your background. After getting down the colours (quickly)I spray a very light mist over the canvas and then I take a soft 1or 2 inch soft, flat brush for blending (I use a Simply Simmons synthetic 1 inch flat) and very lightly sweep it over the surface in criss-crossing strokes. It seems to blend the paint really nicely. I used to struggle with the backgrounds too but this method seems to really work for me, and it doesn't involve medium. It is the method I used for both the seagull workshop and for this workshop.

Comment by Jess Paskel on November 20, 2016 at 9:56: Nice job adrienne! I like to liquitex slow-dri blending medium depending on what im doing. It slows the drying time alot!