Sagan - facing the challenge head on

After being rained out. I grabbed a tarp from my trunk. I dragged the heavy hood into the basement and set up an area to work. The hood wont fit in my Corolla so I don't have a way to get it to my 5th floor studio anyhow. It had rained and is dusty in town so I had to scrub clean the back surface before beginning.

I taped the image down onto the hood as a guide for the flecking of the One shot white lettering paint. Its fairly big now that I see it in relation to the surface.

I took a sharp matte knife right to the paper on the surface and began cutting. The first shapes will be the most opaque and lightest on the starry background. Black teeth just wont work out.

As I progress forward the patterns begin to reveal the form beneath. It is a really neat way at looking at it.

This method I decided upon for this project is working really well. The design of the shapes allows the form to remain intact.

I'm getting closer to the dark tones of the portrait. I had to use a bit of glue stick to help the left eye stick in place.

This view helps give away my technique and tools. Basically I'm just using toothbrushes and stiff hog hair brushes and straight paint and slightly thinned paints for lighter further stars.

I start working very lightly into the shadows and you can really see the face come together.

I place the hood outside once the rain passes in order to put on a layer of protective clear coat.

I sprinkle holographic silver metal flake onto the clear coat. These sparkles change colour as the light is refracted. Its a bit hard to capture but the twinkling catches your eye as you move and change your view.

Dragon Done!

I completed the second dragon painting last night.
The feeling of relief accompanies the satisfaction of achievement.

 I outlined in paynes grey all the dangly bits. Then I rubbed in a neutral very and removed some from the centre with a damp piece of paper towel.

 I mixed each individual colour of sparkles into GAC 100 in this shot cup. I applied it to each scale, respective of their colour. The green andy blue ones had two colours of sparkles each.

 The full piece in the studio to give an idea of the overall effect of the piece. I pained the claws and each finger nail. I added purple and magenta sparkles over the hair and flaming areas.

 I put a lot more work into the dragons facial features, and added purple strands of crazy hair. I added teeth made up of greys and white highlights. I added spots and blended hairs across the face and put in more work on all these details to make it pop.

I add my signature to signify completion. Then it became time to put a protective coat of varnish.

Its hard to tell in this photo, but the room is filled with a toxic cloud.  I did a crystal clear spray varnish application, unfortunately there is not adequate ventilation to do coatings. I had to escape the room immediately. Luckily, I won't be in the studio for at least a full day. I have to teach all day at the Alberta College of Art and Design. This is why I am so happy I finished the piece, good timing to allow it to dry. I will be delivering the piece to Motion Gallery this Wednesday.