Thanksgiving Muddler

Happy Thanksgiving Week!  I thought I'd start this week off with a nice Muddler Minnow Fly.  Brown seems to be a very "thanksgiving-ish" color to me.  I have also included the actual fly that was the model for this painting.  The fly was given to me by my wife, as she felt it was a beautiful fly...agreed.  Looking forward to some Thanksgiving family time this week. 

Water color on 9"x12" cold press

Blue Cheek Trout

This Brown Trout has some nice features.  I wanted to deepen the feel of the spawning colors and provide a substantial backround to strengthen the overall look of of this girthy beauty.  I really enjoyed stepping a little more outside of my typical style.  Gradually I will let go a little further. 

5.5" x 8"  Water Color on cold press 140 lb. 

See if you can guess where I found the model for this Trout.  Here's a hint...one of my Favorite Blogs...and there hasn't been a post in a long time...i'll reveal in a few weeks once there have been a few stabs where she came from.

Can't wait to get this framed...it's going to look legit!

By the way...she's for sale...just shoot me an email.

 

Red White Blue Streamer

A little late for the 4th of July, but I was inspired to capture this.  I found this fly on The Daily Fly Paper Blog...you can check the link in my faves.  I added a little of my own character to the fly, but the essence is the same.  I was challenged by my father and my sister to come up with something Red White and Blue..and I think this fits the bill.  What kind of fish are striking this streamer?

God Bless America!

5.5" x 8" Water Color on 140 lb. Cold Press.  I'll be getting this framed shortly and will post.

Newly Framed:

(SOLD)

Brook Trout Streamer

This Brook Trout Streamer was fun to paint.  The gold, wrap around, tincil like spiral really comes out and seems to shine.  I love the pattern...should catch some nice phat trout. 

(SOLD)

Water Color 5.5" x 8" on 140 Cold Press Paper

This Brook Trout Streamer is a beauty.  Idea taken from the fly tying of Lew Oatman.  The actual fly can be seen here: Lew Oatman

NEWLY FRAMED...this thing looks so sweet in the frame:

"Cover Model" Brown Trout - Progressive Start to Finish

I wanted to once again show the different stages of my painting process.  Below, you will see how my fish comes to life through the painting.  From top to bottom you can see where I begin on this Brown Trout from the base layer to the finishing detail.  The reason she is called the "Cover Model" is she is loosley based upon the beautiful Brown Trout on the cover of "Fly Rod & Reel" magaznie's Spring 2010 issue. http://www.flyrodreel.com/magazine/2010/april

Water Color on 140 lb cold press - 5.5" x 8"                                          

Stage 1 - The Sketch, outline, and base colors.

Stage 2 - The body formation, eye set up and more base layer.

Stage 3 - Bringing the layer effect to the spots and adding depth and dimention.

Brand New Frame for this beauty:

Wide Open Brookie with Skunk

The Wide Open Brookie was also a previous painting that I had shared on my blog, but was never satisfied with the finished product.  I have recently added a green butt skunk to the mouth of the fish to complete with what I feel is the finishing touch.  She was hungry and deserved more.  Have you ever caught a Brook Trout with a red butt skunk? 

Water Color on 140 lb Cold Press - 15" x 22"

Cutty Finale

This Cut Throat was a difficult painting for me.  I featured her as a series back in May with pictures taken throughout the painting process.  I would stare at the painting...walk around it, and stare some more before I would go back in.  You can see the previous post with the 5 different stages here: http://stridart.blogspot.com/2010/05/water-color-in-progress-cut-throat.html .

Water Color On Cold Press 140lb - 15" x 22"

Valley Creek Brown Trout

Water Color 5.5" x 8" on cold press.  Naitive Brown Trout I caught on Valley Creek in Valley Forge PA.  This was a spectacular fish at aproximatley 13".   She hit my elk hair caddis dry hard and fought the good fight.  So great to catch these native browns in Valley Forge.

The "Big One" for Patrick - Birthday Fish

Custom Water Color on Cold Press.  5.5" x 8".  Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout.  This painting was a custom birthday present for Patrick, a future Angler for sure.  Patrick turns one year old today!  Happy Birthday little man!
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