Elk are such fascinating animals to observe, especially during their rutting season, late August through late September.  I am fortunate to live not far from the Colorado high country, where they frequent all year and can be found during their most important time of the year when they vie for the rights to mate.  They are in the best shape of their lives, at their most aggressive and the bulls are constantly ready to do battle, chase cows, and the sounds of their bugle can be heard all day and night.  During this time, bulls collect cows and do their best to keep them enclosed in areas where they are safe from other bulls.  These animals are most dangerous at this time of year, so giving them their due space is key when quietly observing.

 

One warm sunny day in Estes Park, I found a large harem cooling off in Lake Estes.  The large dominant bull, in typical fashion, kept a keen eye on each of his girls (not an easy task when they are constantly moving to different areas) while also aware of other bulls in the area that would challenge him.  He was constantly on the move driving and corralling his cows when needed to keep his harem intact.

 

In this scene, he did a great job at leading them out of the water and into a manageable area with the rest of the cows.  I knew I had a nice scene with which to build a new work of art.  I had not tackled water in this manner previously, but in all of my work I always say "no pain, no gain."  I composed the three subjects (based on several reference photos taken that day) on heavyweight paper (my favorite and most versatile substrate) and set out to tell this story.

 

First came composing the piece and burning the three elk.  I wanted the bull to be the main focus so I concentrated on the sharpest detail.  The cows were burned next and just out of focus to give a slight sense of depth perception.

 

 

Next comes the liquid mask.  To paint the background and foreground lake water, I needed to mask out the areas I did not want to paint.  I carefully applied the liquid mask to the three elk in order to protect them from the paint.  Liquid mask is not easy to apply but a necessary mid-step.  It is a rather rubbery substance that goes on wet and then dries.

 

 

 

Now that the mask is dry I turn to my acrylic paint that I mixed to suit the hues and tones of the water.  Since the three elk are now fully protected from paint, I can freely brush on as much as needed and repeat this stage for days until the hues and values are just right.  My attention was focused on color, light source, shadows and reflections.

 

 

Once the paint is laid down I am ready to remove the protective mask.  It peeled right off, but took a small degree of burn away with it.  So, my attention was next turned to a lot more burning, including refining (darkening, smoothing out) the piece all together.  For me, the work is not complete until every single detail is burned and color is painted.

 

 

Another piece in the books.

 

"Out of the Shallows"

20" x 15.5" Pyrography and acrylic

 

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