Macro Robber Fly

Macro Robber Fly
Originally uploaded by BYarborough

The only one I'm doing that has legs! Two more to go and then I have to decide how I'm going to "assemble" these for Austin's wall.
Same support, paint, technique as the others.

Macro Rhingia Hoverfly

Macro Rhingia Hoverfly
Originally uploaded by BYarborough

Isn't this one odd? I think I like the reddish eyed ones best. While painting this one for the series I was reminded of how much Austin likes the movie, Monsters, Inc. and that he'll probably associate these flies with that movie. Same support, same technique, same paint. . .and, yes, I'm starting to get bored with same ol', same ol'

Macro Soldier Fly

Macro Soldier Fly
Originally uploaded by BYarborough

I'm not happy with this one and almost didn't post it. I may end up doing it over. One of the features of flies that I've noticed is their "fake" eyes. I know other insects have these and they are defense features. So I ask the question, what does a fly need to defend itself against besides a flyswatter? Frogs are one predator, but are there others?
This is the same support and medium as the previous ones.

Macro Horse Fly

Macro Horse Fly
Originally uploaded by BYarborough

Continuing in the WetCanvas July challenge, and in my personal challenge to get 9 of these painted before the end of the month! Same support, watercolor canvas and same technique, oil pastel, watercolor, gel pen.
The eyes on this guy really were red and green and in this strange zigzag pattern. He's rather plain without those colorful eyes! They remind me of some of those weird contac lenses that some kids were wearing a few years ago.

Macro Long-legged Fly

Macro Long-legged Fly
Originally uploaded by BYarborough

WetCanvas July challenge. It's amazing how many different flies there are! This is again done on the 5 x 7 watercolor canvas, using oil pastel, then DS transparent watercolors, then DS interference watercolor, Bic black gel pen (for some of the fine hairs). The eyes on this reference photo really ARE these colors -- truly amazing what the macro shots show!!

Green Bottle Fly Macro

Green Bottle Fly Macro
Originally uploaded by BYarborough

Bug #2 for the July WetCanvas challenge in the watermedia forum. I'm using 5 x 7 watercolor canvas and there are times when I wish I were using paper instead! Canvas doesn't "bleed" like paper does and there are parts of these macros that I'd like that wet-in-wet look. The eye, nose, neck and parts on the body were done with a little oil pastel. DS watercolors went over the entire fly, followed with a light layer of DS interference white pearl over the body (you can't tell that it is iridescent on the scan). The hairs were done with paint and then with Bic black gel pen.
My goal is to do 9 of these 5 x 7 watercolor canvas fly macros and arrange them like a collage for Austin's room.

Macro Common House fly

Macro Common House fly
Originally uploaded by BYarborough

I did this for a challenge in WetCanvas, Watermedia forum. In looking through public domain photos, I came upon some macros of flies -- and thought it'd be fun to do a series of different kinds of flies. Here's the first of six and the title is going to be "The Eyes Have It!" This first painting is a common house fly.
I used watercolor canvas (5 x 7) and used DS paints over a light application of oil pastel (on the eyes only). Then I painted the part of the body that is shown with DS interference, violet. I wish the sheen of the interference paints showed up on scans -- it's really cool! The hair was done with a brush and then finer hairs with a Bic black gel pen. This was really fun!!