Everyone's an art critic!

Dirty Harry, a saltwater crocodile at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, was shown my recent caricatures of Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott.

It's hard to read a crocodile's mind so I don't know if snapping at Julia was a tick of approval for my digital painting technique - or a scathing critique.

Perhaps he found the complementary juxtaposition of the flaming red hair and neutralised green background just a little too contrived.

Okay, so it wasn't really an art competition. The real story is that Harry was asked to predict the outcome of this weekend's federal election, using two of my caricatures and some chicken carcasses.

It seems he took a liking to Julia's carcass.

The ABC has video here.

Blog Frog: Digital painting

Another digital painting. This little guy (or girl?) is one of up to 30 green tree frogs that live in our backyard pond. They are so comfortable there that you can get within 30cm of them to take photos.

 (Tree frog - digital painting. Original 1450 x 1000px . © 2010, Andy Dolphin)

Millie: Digital painting

Another digital sketch. This time it's one of our four pet lambs, Millie.

 (Millie - digital painting. Original 1200 x 1050px . © 2010, Andy Dolphin)

Nuytsia: Digital painting

Caricatures are great for exercising observation and hand-eye coordination but I only do them for fun. My real love is the Australian landscape.

Tonight I was flipping through some old photos and found one of a WA Christmas Tree (Nuytsia floribunda). It was essentially and abstract rush of bright oranges against near-neutral blues and greens. I had to do something with it.

Here's the result of about an hour and a half's painting in Photoshop.

 (Nuytsia - digital painting. Original 1800 x 1200px . © 2010, Andy Dolphin)

I think I need to try it in oils now.

Tony Abbott: Digital caricature

Following on from my Julia Gillard caricature, and with the federal election now in full swing, I thought I'd better post an updated Tony Abbott caricature.

(Tony Abbott - digital. Original 1200 x 1200px . © 2010, Andy Dolphin)

See my first Tony Abbott caricature

Twilight in the Bay: Oil

Here's one I did a couple of weeks ago.

 (Twilight in the Bay. 70x37cm oil on panel © 2010, Andy Dolphin)

You can get a little background on this painting in the following articles:

Perfect plein air afternoon
Preliminary sketch

Army Art 2010

Army Art is an annual charity art exhibition featuring the original works of invited artists from around WA.

This year's exhibition will be held at Leeuwin Barracks, Riverside Road, East Fremantle on Saturday and Sunday, 15th & 16th of August. All exhibited work will be for sale and part proceeds will benefit the Recreation & Sport Network.

I will have several pieces there and am looking forward to catching up with lots of artist friends I haven't seen since leaving Perth over six years ago.