WOOLY MAMMOTH ACRYLIC PAINTING: CREATIVE PROCESS

SIBERIAN SENTRY
36x48, ACRYLIC

MAMMOTH DETAIL

MAMMOTH
SIBERIAN TRIBAL DESIGNS

MAMMOTH TRIBAL DESIGNS

I don't know what it is about this particular painting that has been SO HARD!  I have used all manner of creative solutions, just to be able to see it objectively.

I used a mirror to look at it from a different perspective.

I took a photo of it and printed out a copy, so that I could redraw it in different poses.

I used my Nintendo DSI Art program to try different ways to paint him.

I over-researched, over-thought, and over-painted this piece.  My artistic license has been revoked....but I finished it, FINALLY!  And now I am over-reacting as to WHY it was so difficult to paint.  I was out of my comfort zone, certainly.  And with no mentor to really go to and ask some key questions, I felt really on my own with this one.  That does NOT mean that I am saying to stay in your comfort zone, and only do things that you know.  How can we grow as artists if we aren't constantly trying new things, learning new things?  What I am saying is that I took a rather large leap into the unknown with the expectations that it needed to be perfect.  I had never painted on a canvas this large.  I have never spent so MUCH on a canvas before. (What if I blow it and waste all that money?!!!)  I have never painted something without reference photos to check key anatomy problems.  I have never felt quite so out of my depth before!  I learned an incredible amount of things with this piece.  I will definitely be painting larger again.  I will NOT be painting any more extinct creatures without a lot more knowledge of the creature.  And boy!  Am I glad it's finished!!!!!