I have painted two Ringed plovers but my first attempt got smudged (always a hazard with me...) so although it has been cleaned up in a scan so useable for digital items such as stickers and mini cards, the original original is stuck in my drawer waiting for me to decide what to do with … Continue reading Ringed Plover
Ink, Paper & Print
Last year I attended the Illustration and Print Fair at Eastbourne's Towner Gallery and really enjoyed the experience. This year, due to popularity, the fair ran over the whole weekend rather than just the Sunday, so I was very pleased to be accepted to exhibit. I shared a table with my good friend and art … Continue reading Ink, Paper & Print
Kittiwakes
I am really enjoying the flying bird/Khadi paper/triptych paintings I have been doing. I visited my daughter in Newcastle recently and there is a large kittiwake colony in the city, and it was fantastic to see the birds being welcomed and protected despite the no-doubt negative impact (pardon pun!) of copious quantities of guano inflicted upon the … Continue reading Kittiwakes
Kestrel
I was speaking to a friend recently and we were discussing Gerard Manley Hopkins, and I was reminded of the term 'windhover', otherwise known as a kestrel. Such an apt term, and I wanted to paint one. I'm enjoying the flying birds as I don't especially like putting props in the paintings but many birds … Continue reading Kestrel
A Teal
I wanted to paint a teal in flight so as to maximise the flashes of - well, teal on the bird's face and secondary wing feathers. I do occasionally find that looking for a resource photo can be problematic, especially with birds that are regular quarry, either for us humans or other species. I'm not … Continue reading A Teal
Goldfinch
I have painted a goldfinch before but when I first started out with the birds, I hadn't formulated a set idea regarding size, paper, style etc, so although they look similar, I definitely regard these as my 'early birds'. Some are on branches or tree stumps, which I am less keen about, preferring the birds … Continue reading Goldfinch
Swallow
I've always painted birds which are standing on the ground - I have done a few which are on a tree or branch but I don't like these so much, hence the feet. However, a swallow is so iconic in flight, I wanted to try this. It's a challenge sometimes to find a reference picture … Continue reading Swallow
