Squirrel:

5 hours to complete

Fox:

6 hours to complete

Bird:

4 hours to complete

Hand paintings: using skin as a surface.

I liked the oil paint prints by Russel Powell however his work resulted in a permanent painting when printed. I wanted to create piece that is only temporary, where few see the original painting and rely solely on photographs for the experience, to emulate the wonders of the wild and human curiosity vs human capability.

[Very few people try to interact with wildlife, usually out of ignorance yet can still affect the way the animals live their life.]

Why these animals?

I wanted to continue the idea of a personal connection therefore to decide which animals to paint, I went on a walk through the woodland and fields. I spotted many animals but these three were the most visually interesting due to the highlights on the fur/ feathers/ hair.

I did have to use internet images (like the animal that I saw) for these three paintings unlike the rest of my paintings because of time constraints and the shyness of the animals.

I originally planned to either produce these in oil paint, or on the palm of my hand to print, however, not only was the acrylic paint less harmful to my skin, but it dried faster, meaning I could layer the fur to create depth. Also, with the oil paint I struggled to capture the white highlights as the white blended into the wet paint behind. I think the paintings are more effective in acrylic paint.

The animals are deliberately not facing directly forwards because I was unable to put any form of shadow behind the painting due to the lack of a background. By having the animal straight on the image would appear flattened, however, on the side (with the fox and the squirrel having the body behind the head,) it creates depth.

Bird compared to the fox and squirrel:

Out of the three paintings this one is the only one to have the whole animal painted on the hand. I did this to trial how it looked but I prefer the look of the squirrel and the fox hands as they appear almost photoshopped with layers. I think the two paintings address the theme of hierarchy and balance more effectively as the rest of the animal cannot exist without a human hand being present but at the same time the animal on top of the hand shifts the focus away from the hand on to the animal.

I think the pieces look more effective when the head is central on the hand.

All individual pieces but can act as a triptych too. (Like nature; animals and humans are individual but are classified in groups and communities such as wildlife and towns.

Next = Final Piece:

Many hand paintings to make up one image

Use my own image Acrylic paint Leave oil paint printing for the next

project.

Strength in a hand:

It is the hand that feeds but also the hand that destroys.

Depending on human choice Are all humans destructive? Hands do not show identity

Painted on front and back of hand to see which one is easiest and which one looks better – no difference.