Other Cows!

Here are some pictures of some other cows from the round-up a couple of weeks ago...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wish I had written down the names and the artists!  Really cool.

 

 

 

 

Bye bye Black and White Bovine!

She goes back to Durham tomorrow!  This has been so much fun and so much work!  I am really grateful to have had the chance to paint a cow.  Now someone go buy her at auction!!!

All of the cows will be on public display at Golden Belt in Durham August 18th.  Come on out and see us/them. 

A big thank you to Cowparade NC and the NC Children's Hospital for this opportunity.  I've had a blast.  www.cowparadenc.com 

Bye Bye Black and White Bovine.

Cowparade NC, Black and White Bovine

Time to start the clear coating.

Cowparade NC - Black and White BoVine.  hilary clement, artist

Black and White Bovine - NC Cowparade

All the vines now have their 2nd coat!  I just have to paint the back hooves.  My handsome assistant, Andrew, is going to help me inspect the entire cow for any areas that need sharpened or cleaned up.  After that 1 layer of gel medium and then several coats of gloss varnish. 

I apologize that I cannot take a picture that isn't blurry without the flash or the tripod.  I'll post better pictures when it is complete. 

I have painted about 16 - 18 total hours total between today and yesterday!  After the first few hours I had to put on my reading glasses (I hate getting old).  Last night I dreamed of these vines.  But this is still FUN.

Cowparade NC cow - Black and White Bovine

Just the legs and rear to go!!!

How Do You Paint A Cow?

Step one.  Layout the basic design.  I chalked mine on with sidewalk chalk which is a much cheaper version of charcoal which I sometimes use for murals.  Since the cow is pristine white, I didn't want the black charcoal to smear all over when I touched it.  The chalk hardly smears at all and wipes clean easier.  Here are a couple of pics with just the chalk.

Step Two.  Start painting.  This is the scary step!  Painting these lines requires a steady hand which I don't really have.  I have to stabilize my arm and remember to breath out while I make each line.  This may look easy to paint, but it is tedious.  But still FUN!  I love this cow.


The first few vines....

It is Saturday night and I have covered about 1/4 of the cow.  I hope to get most of it done tomorrow and go over all of the vines again for a 2nd coat.  Something I'm not used to is having to keep my hands clean the entire time I'm painting.  If I don't, the white will have black fingerprints all over it.

I've just done the easy parts so far.  To paint the belly you have to get under the cow like a mechanic.  I should get one of those skateboard like things they lay on to roll under the cars. 

more tomorrow!!