Dragonfly

Am in the process of trying to capture a dragonfly image. The hard bit for me -the wings-still to tackle

Peregrine

During our recent visit to the Mull of Galloway I watched a Peregrine as it perched near the top of the cliffs. Below it were increasing numbers of Razorbill, Guillemot and gulls all preparing for the breeding season. The Peregrine would not have far to travel for a meal.

More Short-eared Owls

It seems that there are Short-eared Owls all over the area at the moment. I had a spell a couple of years ago when spotting an owl anywhere was hard work. Then on the Isle of Mull early last year we watched a shortie hunting over the fell, and its been owlfest from then on -

Short-eared Owl

Based upon a few photos I took a few days ago I tried to capture that look that only an owl can give.

Owlfest

We have been over indulged with Short-eared and Long-eared Owls at the nearby location of Prestwick Carr.
So I thought I'd try a painting which captured Short-eared Owl a bit better than my photographic skills.
This one still needs a bit of work on the background

Wren

Goldeneye

During our recent trip to Lancashire we saw lots of Goldeneye, both male and female.
They were constantly diving below the surface making it difficult to see them close together. So I have tried to achieve that here.

Background work

I've still got this hang-up with sympathetic backgounds and so have been experimenting, in  an attempt to best show the main subject.
Am starting to favour a dark background with little detail.
Here are a couple of reworked images

Kes

Based upon a sighting at Prestwick Carr recently this Kestrel is 'under construction'

Four-spotted Chaser

I like the idea of seeing the Four-spotted Chaser since it means Summer is just about here and many other species are not far away

Dragons

Am trying to get to grips with painting Dragonfly. I want to establish a method of painting them so that can be identified without painting every last detail. I can see already that the wing veins are going to be a problem but hey ho.
So far -

I thought the image would benefit from a bit more interest in the background - so its blackberry time.

Still a bit to do to the wings

Aand I think that this last version is just about it

Common Sandpiper

Although I have only ever seen single Common Sandpiper I've started a sketch with a couple of these neat little birds -

This is being done in oils on a flat board. I'll add some photos as I  progress.

Have added a bit of foreground, but it seems to take something away from the picture. 

Don't know why but I like the first, part complete, sketch best. Seems to have a bit more life to it.

Have tried to put them in an upland stream as per their summer residence, but it still needs a bit work

Greenshank

Its been great to see good numbers of Greenshank at Shibdon Pond recently. They make a very striking image when resting on one leg

Greylag

A walk around Big Water recently brought around thirty Greylag into view. Made me prematurely think that autumn must be on its way.

Lapwing

We watched Lapwing earlier this spring on the moors above Blanchland.

The bright sunlight creating the iridescent colours which make this a truly outstanding creature.

Common Whitethroat

I have been quite satisfied with this latest experiment and so have tried it out on a bird that has been prolific in the hedgerows just north of Newcastle -

Common Whitethroat.

The last three images have been completed using oils on primed board. The board is actually mountboard offcuts onto which I trowelled primer to provide a thick and very flat finish.

Curlew

Continuing with the same style I thought the Curlew would make a good subject

Experiment revised

I think that I have said earlier that backgrounds might give me a bit of a problem, so when I saw a painting a few days ago which had a very flat background it set me thinking.
So I have made a start with this Snipe image using a featureless background, and I think it works. Not sure why but I will give it a bit more effort.



Thought the image would benefit from another figure so have added one into the background

Oystercatcher 2

The previous image which I posted just did not work and I felt it was as a result of the bird on the right facing away.
So I removed it and added a more interesting bird - I think.

Oystercatcher