HOPELAND EVENING

 

I recently completed this commissioned painting. The scene is of a quiet tidal marsh near where we were staying last winter. I just happened on the place which I found while exploring a wooded area near where we walked most evenings and immediately set about doing studies of the area. What I liked most about this place was that it was surrounded by trees and there were no signs of any habitation at all. Clapper rails called nearby along with Greater Yellowlegs a bit further away, and a Belted Kingfisher made this river its home. Some evenings we would hear the hooting of a Great Horned Owl over by the other side on the marsh and resident Bald Eagles perched in their favorite tree overlooking the estuary - magic!

RED-TAILED HAWK PORTRAIT

 

I found this dark-phase Red-tailed Hawk at our local wildlife rehab center where I often went to see what had been dropped off. Since this bird was outside in a large cage, I did some studies from life then later did this portrait at home. Size is 8 x 10 inches (20 x 25cm), oil on board.

EAGLE OWL

 

I have seen a number of European Eagle Owls in the wild but the details of this bird came from a raptor rehab center where I was able to get up close. My usual studies were first completed in my sketch book directly from life (both in pencil and watercolor)  which ran to two or so pages, then I later did this head study. I was trying to capture something of the intensity that these large birds exude along with the softness of their feathers. Size is 6 x 9 inches (15 x 23cm), watercolor on Grumbacher paper.

BARNACLES

 

During a very low tide at Guard Shore Beach in Virginia, I found these remnants of what was probably a jetty of sorts, covered in barnacles. I did as much drawing as I could in my sketchbook before the tide came in again, then finished the rest at home laying in washes and adding some final details right at the end. Size is about 6" x 9", watercolor on Grumbacher paper,

RING-BILLED GULL

 

In this painting, I wanted to capture the feeling of a bright and warm sunny day along the shore so I kept the values quite light except for the bird's shadow. I started by painting the background waves in a loose and free manner trying for movement and color more than anything else. The gull was also painted in a somewhat loose way aiming for form without getting too caught up in the details. The warm reflected light on the belly of the gull was as important as getting the structure of the bird right then some smaller details were added last of all. The foreground was finished off with just a few indications of broken shells etc. Size is 12" x 9", watercolor on Grumbacher paper.