Our rooster and hen riding my Uncle Jerry's bicycle
This acrylic painting I have uploaded is of our Polish Buff rooster and one of our hens. I did not glue anything to the surface of this painting because I think the image is strong enough.
I began this painting by taking pictures of my Uncle Jerry’s old bicycle. For years it was in a storage room where an opossum used the back basket as a place to sleep during the day, but that is another story. So, I had to figure out a way for our rooster to ride the bike without exaggerating the length of his legs. By adding another chain and gear closer to the seat the rooster can peddle the bike all over the beach.
I drew the bicycle first and then added the rooster and hen. To get the rooster to look like he is peddling I drew him leaning forward a bid, just like I would if I were riding a bicycle. And to create the sense of wind in his feathers I painted them curling away from the front of his face. The hat of the hen passenger flaps toward her face to show wind.
Once I started painting I painted the background first, then the bicycle and then the poultry. After everything is on the canvas I go back and start putting in the lighter values. I did some glazing which is where one transparent or semi-transparent color is applied over another. If you look closely at the hen’s head and neck you should be able to see the glazed color. The shadows were the last thing I added before sealing the painting.
