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Every year our small community in Leesburg, FL opens its downtown streets to one of the most amazing motorcycle events, the Leesburg Bikefest.  2017 will be the 21st Bikefest. It is promoted as "The World's Largest Motorcycle and Music Event packed into 30 blocks for 3 days with over 60 Concerts, 200 Vendors, Amazing Bike Shows, 5 Hotbody Contests, 5 Venues and a Quarter Million People!"  When we moved here 10 years ago, we were told about how the Bikefest would literally transform our little town.  They were true to their words because our first year and since has seen an incredible influx of motorcycles and people. Another unique fact about this event is our community.  Leesburg is in central Florida and is surrounded by senior adult 55+ communities.  We are 15 miles from The Villages, one of the largest adult complexes with over 150,000 residents.  Let me just say, you should see all of the seniors sporting their rides and attending this event.  The 2017 Leesburg Bikefest will be this coming weekend April 28, 29, 30, so come join the fun if you are in the area. 

In celebration of this event, I decided to paint my first motorcycle to place in Artrageous,a gallery on Main Street. Did I say that I didn't realize how difficult a motorcycle is to paint? I plunged right in though and then realized this was going to take longer than I thought but don't worry I like a challenge.  My reference photo of a Harley Davidson Low Rider was taken in March during the Festival of Speed in Howey-in-the-Hills.  

I cropped the photo to give me a closeup of the engine.  I used a 16" x 20" Ampersand Gessobord panel Museum series because I love the smooth surface to paint detail on. 

This set of photos shows some of the stages of the painting as it progressed to completion. I used the grid method to draw the initial sketch to paint.  I primed the panel with a mixture of Liquitex acrylic colors Alizarin Crimson and Indian Yellow. 

I found the trick to painting chrome is to paint the reflections that the chrome captures and then add the sparkles of light.  I used a limited palette of Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, Indian Yellow, Cerulean Blue, Cad Yellow Light and Cad Red Light.  I believe patience though was the most needed skill ;-)

Hope you enjoy the fun I had in painting this beautiful Harley Davidson Low Rider.