ALASKAN EAGLES - STUDY

 

Yet another small painting that developed from studies and ideas captured during our Alaskan trip. During a separate boat trip, we sailed into watery caverns filled with scenes like this. During the morning, mist predominated and the distant land was hazy, diffuse. Low-lying clouds hung in the air while the surrounding shores and densely wooded hillsides created an ethereal feeling. There were a few whales about but not a lot of eagles - we saw around 20 or so along with a few Ravens, and a huge flock of hundreds of crows! The size of this smaller work is 8 x 10 inches, oil on canvas.

LAUGHING GULL STUDIES II

 

Here are a two studies of resting Laughing Gulls. In winter, they look quite a lot different from their summer (breeding) plumage mostly as they have lost the dark chocolate brown color on their heads. Also the bright red bill has darkened to black although some birds still have remnants of red. Still, I enjoy the mottled pattern of dark on the heads which varies from bird to bird. Here this bird is not very heavily marked.

This sleeping bird was part of a larger flock that I singled out to paint. I liked the subtle shadow on the breast which warmed and deepened as it crept under the belly. Also the shadow as it undulated over the uneven surface of the sand. Although it was a sunny day, all of them were facing into the cool stiff breeze - most birds do this. Both these watercolor studies were done in my sketchbook, sizes are about 6 x 9 inches.

APROACHING DAWN - WHITE-TAILED DEER

 

It was still dark when I slipped outside and into the quiet of a pre-dawn morning. In the nearby reserve, I stood as a hurried flight of ducks passed overhead and splashed down then began feeding in the shallows. A few Song Sparrows called followed by the sweet drawn-out song of a White-throated Sparrow. I walked a little further along and stopped as a small herd of deer slowly approached. I think in the gathering light, they couldn't quite make me out. One braver than the others (probably the matriarch) came closer looking at me from one side to the other then took a few more steps even closer! As I stood stock still gazing in wonder, they eventually turned and drifted silently away until I was alone again.

In this painting, I wanted to try and capture the wonderful experience of that morning placing the deer as it was on that day slowly turning away and soon to be gone. Size is 9 x 12 inches, oil on canvas board.

APLOMADO FALCON, PART 2

 

After working on the bird during the past week, I finally reached this point where I think it is about completed. I'll put it aside for a while then come back in another week or so and look at the painting with fresh eyes seeing if it needs anything else done to it. This was a new bird for me, one I haven't yet seen in the wild - apparently they are rare in the US. Still, getting close to this one was quite an experience which was magnified when seeing it in flight diving to a lure - simply wonderful to watch! Size is about 11 x 7.5 inches, watercolor on Arches paper.

APLOMADO FALCON, PART 1

 

I came across this partially-completed portrait of an Aplomado Falcon a few days ago so took it over to my watercolor table to get a better look at it. Although started some time ago, I usually have a few paintings on the go at any one time - most of them are well on their way just like this one and I could see that I wouldn't have too much to do to finish it. I began by laying in more washes of color onto the back and wing areas trying to get that looking right - obviously I still have some way to go there! Most of the head and breast had already been done so there were only a few bits there that needed any touch ups. Hopefully this one will be brought to completion in the next week or so, part 2 coming soon!

ROYAL TERN STUDIES

 

A small party of Royal Terns were resting on a sandy spit during early winter when I did these studies. There were a mix of Juv and adult birds so I did studies of both. Although there was full sun, the day was cold and windy so the whole flock (along with a few Foster's Terns and Laughing Gulls) were facing into the prevailing breeze. Most were standing but a few were sleeping on the ground with their beaks tucked into their back feathers, black crests splaying in the wind. It was a memorable morning - simply spending time with these birds made it so. Size is about 12 x 9 inches, done in my sketchbook.

MID-DAY MARSH

 

It was late fall when I walked through the marsh close to where we were staying. The grasses had already turned ochre-brown and it was a cold but warming day. Earlier I had sat for awhile sketching then drawing different views looking south before moving on and making studies of this scene. I watched as an approaching Bald Eagle got closer and closer until it flew right over me, through my binoculars I could see that it appeared to be blind in one eye but this didn't seem to bother it - at least not while in flight. It landed in some shallower water and began to bathe. Ducks and geese hastily taking flight as it neared them only to circle around and land back again a little further away.

Looking east, I decided to do a painting looking across a slightly larger expanse of water with small grassy tufts and islands in the distance. The clouds were slowly breaking up and thin patches of blue began to show through. There was an incredible feeling of peace and tranquility within me as I painted, listening to the sound of the wind sighing through the grasses as well as the bird calls nearby as I worked. This to me was how I truly wanted to spend my time, alone in nature doing what I love to do the most.

RECENT ILLUSTRATIONS

 

A few new illustrations done mostly in my sketchbook. These like many of the earlier ones are part of a long term project that is slowly drawing to a conclusion. Hopefully I will have more to report early next year.

I found this Loon feather washed up on the beach along with quite a few more. Not sure if these were part of their natural moult or if a bird had died. The black area had a slightly greenish-purple sheen - depending on the light.

During last winter, it had snowed overnight and when we walked down to the lake, most areas will still covered with a layer of snow. These Lord of Baltimore seed heads looked wonderful against the bluish-grey of the water. Done on Strathmore watercolor paper, the Black Vulture and Loon feather are about 5 x 8 inches each, the seed heads about 10 x 8 inches.

LOW TIDE

 

Walking across this beach was the culmination of another amazing morning spent in Costa Rica. We had set out from where we were staying an hour of so before walking slightly inland then turning and coming back towards the coast and following the tideline back towards our hotel. The walk was full of fascinating plants and birdlife, and I saw many species I hadn't seen before. Here at low tide, the beach was a contrast of bi-colored sand, rocks and verdant greenery all set out under a stunning blue sky - most of this I tried to capture in my painting. More and more, I seem to be creating a visual diary of my travels and this has been the inspiration behind my work. Size is 9 x 12 inches, oil on canvas board.

CLOUD SHADOWS - ALASKA

 

I stood for some time watching how the light and shadow played out over the side of this mountain in Alaska. At times, the cloud cleared till I could see the peaks more clearly but I liked this look when they were more shrouded and the further ones draped in shadow. The water was a deep glacier blue of the shade I have only seen in Alaska or Canada - probably from the icemelt. I am still drawing heavily from the inspiring period I spent there and hope I am able to capture some of it in my paintings. This small oil on canvas is 8 x 10 inches.

ALONG THE CHRISTINA

 

I painted this scene looking upriver from a viewpoint next to the Rowing Club. The boats are launched from a floating dock which you can see just in front of the building. On this early morning, sunlight illuminates the water and far bank but the foreground is shaded by a large trees that trail over the river. I noticed sunlight filtering through the trees in spots onto the grass and this was an effect that I wanted to included in my painting.

 

Shown above was my initial block-in using thinned oil paint after finalizing the layout and details. I don't always start a painting this way but because of the full range of tones from dark to light in this scene, it helped me better decide how to proceed. Size of this one is 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

HEADLAND - SAGRES

 

Here at Sagres, Portugal, I was standing on the beach next to the fort which was above and behind me. I liked the way this headland stretched out into the bay but decided for this painting, to focus on the just the tip. A collapsed section had created this darker shadow which I found exciting against the sunlit areas of the almost sheer rock faces. On the extreme tip, two fisherman dropped long lines down into the sea and a few gull patrolled just offshore. Since this bay is secluded, the wave action was mild compared to the one on the other side of the fort which was very popular with surfers, even in winter. Size is 8 x 10, oil on board.

ALASKAN MOUNTAIN IV

 

While on board the ship, I managed to do a few paintings and studies during our trip to Alaska a few years ago, this painting came out of those studies. Mainly I was trying to capture some of the incredible beauty surrounding us and how small we felt next to some of the massive mountains we found along the way. In the painting, you may see some tiny trees which do give somewhat of a scale to the actual size of these ranges. As it was late in the season, there were only a few icebergs around but we often came across smaller clusters of ice floating near the shore. Soon, the winter snows and blizzards would come to this part of the world but for that day, we had perfect weather. A cool breeze but beautiful sunny skies - perfect for viewing vistas such as this. 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

OSPREY FEATHER

 

I found this feather when walking by the Christina river a little while ago. I pretty sure it is an osprey's feather, they are regularly seen flying by and diving for fish,  and their nest is not far away downriver. The resident pair used to use a nesting platform set up in the middle of the marsh but this year they opted to nest on the old railway bridge. A month or so ago, I did see three of them in the air at once so I suppose they have been at least partially successful but the area is also covered by a pair of Bald Eagles and they are know to predate Osprey chicks. Perhaps the people in the nearby education center know more about their breeding success, I'll have to ask the next time I'm down that way. Size of this watercolor is 12 x 9 inches.

ALONG THE ALGARVE

 

Another painting done from our Portugal trip some years ago. I loved the colors of the cliffs and rocks found in this area and actually had to tone down their intensity somewhat. This was a quiet beach we spent some time on and I managed quite a few studies. On the opposite side was a narrow path heading up part of the cliff side which I tackled as it allowed some wonderful views across the water a little higher up than would otherwise be possible. I still have to do any paintings from that viewpoint though. This one is another 10 x 8 inch painting, oil on board.

OVER THE SHALLOWS

 

I started this painting a long time ago and can't quite remember if I showed it here on my blog, perhaps in an unfinished state? Anyway, here it is finally completed. I loved looking at this scene across the shallows to the distant body of water which had been highlit by the late afternoon sun - the view here is looking directly towards the light. I probably did another smaller version of this back then but as most of my records are still in storage, don't have access to know for sure. I'm hoping this will change soon but in the meantime, I'm still travelling around looking for places like this to paint. This is a 9 x 12, oil on canvas, 

OFFSHORE ROCKS

 

I saw these rocks just offshore when we were visiting Portugal. Here, I was looking almost directly into the late evening light which because of some cloud cover, is a bit subdued. The rocks appear quite dark against the much lighter sky behind but there are some highlights where the sun was catching their edges on the left but this is hard to see in the photo. I also captured a wave passing through the scene which adds just a little bit of drama to what would otherwise be a rather quiet image. This is another 8 x 10 inch painting, oil on board.

WINTER SPARROW

 

House Sparrows are common around here (as they are in many parts of the world) but I still like their bold chirpy character. In winter, the black bib is not as apparent as in summer giving the bird a slightly more subdued look which I prefer. This bird is sitting on a rather rusted spike that was part of a large rivet-like attachment holding together what must have been a boat dock or some sort. Heavy storms had have broken apart the large timbers, one part of which was still attached and I chose this prop to echo some of the colors in the birds plumage. Size is around 12 x 9 inches, watercolor on Bockingford paper.

RING-BILLED GULL STUDIES

 

I did these adult Ring-billed Gull studies mainly to contrast the different head patterns in their winter plumage. A few birds have paler marking than the two shown here, conversely some are quite a bit darker but I find these medium-sized gulls very attractive and have done many studies of them ever since I saw them for the first time over 30 years ago.

These studies of first winter birds were done for the same reasons as the adults. I am especially attracted to  them mostly because of the soft-pinkish bill and their dark brown eyes. To me they have a somewhat 'cute' look to them in this plumage and being 3 year gulls, I am still seeing some 2nd year birds around here with pinkish bills although a few are beginning to turn a darker greenish-yellow whereas the irises are getting lighter. Both studies are about 12 x 9 inches, watercolor on paper.

MAGELLANIC PENGUIN

 

Although I haven't seen Magellanic Penguins in the wild, I still wanted to do this study of a bird I saw at the zoo. When living in Cape Town, I watched the similar African Penguin on a few occasions as they were quite near to where I was staying at the time but not sure if any of my old sketches of those birds survived the many moves. Anyway, this was an enjoyable diversion from the mostly oil paintings I have been doing of late, Size is about 10 x 8 inches, watercolor on Crelando paper.

COASTAL MARSH, MID-MORNING

 

I did this small oil study while visiting a wildlife refuge in NJ some time ago. At this point, I had driven out a long way and had parked up so that i could take a better look around. Here, I am looking back towards the coast which on this morning, looked very hazy and distant. Two Black Duck in flight added a little life to the scene. As I stood painting, a Northern Harrier drifted by followed by an Osprey or two. Sparrows called nearby - I think they were the rarer Seaside Sparrows but I never got a very clear look at them. Further out were a small flock of Brant Geese and across the water to my left, Green-winged Teal slept alongside a young Great-blue Heron and two Snowy Egrets. Greater Yellowlegs called from the shallows just behind me - their calls ever clear in the quiet solitude of the day. This painting is 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

LAUGHING GULL STUDIES

 

Up until just recently, it had been very quiet on the gull front around here. There was just the occasional bird seen from time to time and earlier in the year, there were a number of non-breeding gulls around (mostly 2nd summer individuals but also a few adults too). But during July, I began seeing more and more gulls coming through mostly following the river in from the Deleware. These were for the most part adults and when I spotted a few gulls across the river in a nearby park the other morning, I went over to take a look. Surprisingly they were mostly Laughing Gulls with a few Ring-billed Gulls also seen. The study of an adult was one of 3 that I saw and had already started its moult as can be seen by the white feathers coming in on its chin and a subtle darkening of the bill. The eye ring was still quite red but beginning its transition to dark. The plumage was faded and worn. but I noticed a new inner primary on each wing just coming in.

The bird above was a second adult that I did studies of. Very faded and worn plumage with the primaries and secondaries looking ragged. This one is obviously quite a bit further ahead of the other with its moult. The bill too is much darker and will eventually be almost completely black with usually just the tip on the upper mandible red. The eye ring has also faded and is now a dark grey. Within a month or so, the head will be almost completely white with just a smudge of black behind the eye. These studies done on Grumbacher watercolor paper, sizes about 6 x 9 inches.

ICELANDIC GOAT

 

We found a small herd of Icelandic goats while touring around the island one day so stopped for a while. They were all quite friendly and allowed us a close approach = probably they were used to visitors and hoping for some food. The older males were the most impressive with their horns and very long coats while the smaller females (which had white coats) were shorter-haired. Well, that was a few years ago and although I did some studies while in Iceland, it has taken me until now to get around to doing more detailed studies of these impressive animals. This oil is another 10 x 8 inch painting done on gessoed board.

SNAGGLETOOTH

 

I forgot just how long ago I started this painting of a snaggle-toothed monster, but it has been with me during each move as I always intended to finish it somewhere along the way. I think the main reason it took so long as I couldn't decide what I wanted the croc to be resting on. In the end, I just added a slightly textured base and finally I could call it done! Looking at the finished painting, I'm really glad I put in the effort to complete it. Size is about 7.5 x 11 inches, watercolor on Arches paper

BREAKING SEA

 

Along the coast of Hong Kong again. I managed to find a place with quite rough seas after a storm had passed so painted this scene trying to contrast the waves and lighter foam against the dark of the rocks. I kept the foreground open as a way of drawing your eye into the painting over the waves and the motion of the sea on to the rocks in the background. I love doing smaller paintings like this as I feel that I can capture the intimacy of a scene more easily. Size is 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

LATCH

 

 

While visiting a farm some time ago, I began working on a painting of the south side of a small barn. Attached to the barn was a tool shed and I noticed how the weak afternoon sun created an unusual shadow of the latch on the edge of the half-opened door. Deciding to try and capture this, I did a few small sketches first then painted this one using acrylic which I felt would be suited to the subject. Size is 10 x 8 inches.

OSPREY PORTRAIT

 

I recently completed this Osprey study - something that I have been working on for some time. I haven't had really close-up views of ospreys in the wild, most of my views have been through a telescope which at least allowed me to do a few studies. This is the main reason the painting took so long, anyway, it's done now and I can finally move on to the next painting.

This pencil study is one of a few I did in preparation for the actual painting and I worked quite hard to get it looking the way I wanted. Once completed, I transferred this image to watercolor paper then used this and other reference for the final work. The watercolour is sized at 12 x 9 inches, the drawing at 7 x 5 inches.

CLEARING SKIES

 

During one of our trips to the Netherlands some time ago, we visited Amsterdamse Bos which is a large park-like area outside Amsterdam. There was a multitude of things to paint but I settled on this scene of tall trees in early spring, trying to capture the different shades of green under a clearing sky after some morning showers. A glimpse of distant water appears on the right and the nearby fields were full of geese and birdsong - truly wonderful! Size of this painting is 9 x 12 inches, oil on canvas.

BARN OWL

 

The other day, I came across images of this Barn Owl painting that I did quite some years ago now. For some reason I had almost forgot about it although seeing the painting again, I do remember working on it and the struggles I had, but I don't think that I have posted any pictures of this one. This is a slightly more cropped view, I think the actual painting shows more of the textured whitewash wall surrounding the old window. I do remember being happy that I had captured the owl in the way that I wanted to and that the painting brought back memories of my youth looking for owls not only on my grandfathers' farm but also any other barns that I came across. One evening my brothers and I attempted to stay a night in an old barn but the eerie screetch of a Barn Owl calling close by in the pitch dark sent up quickly scurrying back home! This acrylic on canvas is about 20 x 16 inches.

FRENCH BAKERY

 

Living on the edge of the harbor as we did, one of our morning rituals was going out in the morning for coffee. We would walk over to the downtown district and often frequent this French bakery, not just for coffee but also for their delicious baked goods. Here the early morning light cast a deep shadow over the facade so that the interior was dark and mysterious. Would they still have some of our favorite desserts? Size of this painting is 10 x 8 inches, oil on canvas.

ICELANDIC WATERFALL

 

Iceland has many waterfalls, some extremely impressive. This is one is less so but still, I enjoyed watching the heavy stream of water flowing around and over the submerged rocks creating a foamy pool just below me. Started from a quick sketch I did on site, later when I got back to my room, I would paint from these sketches perhaps also using some video that I took. When I got back home to the studio, I was able to go through the series of paintings I did there touching up as necessary but without doing too much to change each one. This painting is in oil and done on canvas - size is 8 x 10 inches.

FLOODED PATH

 

Early morning mist was beginning to clear by the time I reached this place that leads to a hidden lake. I wanted to explore there but heavy rains had flooded the path. I was standing on a rough piece of ground next area to the railway tracks painting - the reserve is off to my left, and I tried to capture the thinning mist and atmosphere of that morning. I painted as quickly as I could before the scene changed too much adding to the painting a little when I returned to the studio. It was a memorable morning and I'm glad I made the effort to go out painting. Size is 10 x 8 inches, oil on board.

EAGLE SCULPTURE

 

 

I saw this sculpture outside a wildlife rehab center when we were travelling in Ireland. Not having much time for myself (so what else is new!) I did a quick sketch before we left and later, did this painting using my sketch as a base and also referring to some video I had shot. Often when travelling, I am able to paint in the evening when we have returned to wherever we are staying, especially when I have a particular image in mind. I did this one purely for myself trying to capture this unique sculpture. I'm sure that when I am settled I will create something like this myself for my own collection. Size is 10 x 8 inches, oil on board.

MID-MORNING SUN STUDY

 

While living in Baltimore, we often walked down to Locust Point and on to Fort McHenry - the scene of an important battle in the war of 1812 when guns from the fort successfully defended the approach to Baltimore harbor from the British warships. I did a lot of painting there as apart from the historical pentagonal fort, there were many wonderful views in and around especially when looking across the water. Here I am standing under shadowed trees looking away from the fort to the distant headland. The effects of light and shade were exciting to explore as an artist and wonderful to paint! Size is 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

ROCKS NEAR SHEK O

 

Shek O is one of our favorite places to visit on Hong Kong Island. Not only a beautiful beach but many interesting places to explore. This is where most of Hong Kong newly-weds go to take their wedding photos - not surprising really as some of the views from the surrounding rocks are spectacular. There is usually quite a lot of wave action here (and in some of the surrounding beaches) which is a plus for artists like me - rocks, waves and water - a perfect combination. This oil, 8 x 10 inches.

MORNING MIST STUDY

 

It was very misty the other morning so I went out to see if I could find something to paint. At times the mist was so thick I couldn't see much but later it thinned a little and I came across this scene. Here I am looking across an overgrown meadow to a small copse of distant trees. A little creek flows through the middle but is mostly hidden by all the grasses. It is with paintings like this that I find I am beginning to approach something closer to my heart - closer to what I want to say about my life and my love. Oil on gessoed board, size is 8 x 10 inches.

GREEN HERON

 

I had been hoping to get some better reference of a Green Heron as usually they are a little shy and don't allow a close approach. The few times I have been found one nearby, I had been without sketchbook or camera. Fortunately this time was different. I first noticed the bird when it gave its characteristic call in flight just a little way away then it turned and landed out in the open. I slowly walked directly towards the bird stopping every few meters or so while doing a quick sketch etc. Then when I could see the bird wasn't worried about my presence, I slowly moved a little closer.

Amazingly I got to within 2 meters or so and still not much reaction from the bird. I marveled at the plumage in the bright sun especially the almost iridescent green on its back. Still sketching, the bird stretched its neck upwards and appeared to be peering towards the sky - I think there could have been a raptor above but I didn't want to take my eyes off it. Then after a min or so, it shuffled out its plumage and gave a quick shake settling all its feathers back in place again. I think it couldn't quite make out what I was as it then started to display erecting its neck and head feathers.

Then it turned and slowly walked away while keeping its neck stretched upwards. Unfortunately a loud sound nearby frightened it and the heron took flight circling the marsh once before flying off. It was an amazing experience to be so close to a wild bird like this. I did these paintings in my sketch book mostly from my drawings and added watercolor trying to capture its somewhat complicated plumage. They say that all good things come to those who wait, well that was certainly true in this case! Sketchbook size was 12 x 9 inches.

MARSH MORNING

 

This is my favorite time of the day! Early morning and the promise of a new day. Here I am in the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in NJ. The reserve was only a few minutes drive from where I was staying and this scene is looking north along the treeline. To my right are acres of open marsh and I had just missed a very close encounter with a harrier when I saw this but plenty of osprey's along the way made up for it. Since all places are different and each have their own special character, I keep these early paintings small when I work as a way of easing myself into the newness. Once I gain a bit of confidence, I can then start to work larger. This one though is another 8 x 10 inch oil on board.

MORNING SHADOWS

 

A few weeks ago, I travelled to the eastern shore of New Jersey and stayed in a quiet condo. My main reason was to explore the area and catch up on some of the early bird migration as well as doing some painting when I could. Going for a walk the next morning, I found a well-wooded place nearby where I saw this scene so did a quick painting of it. There was a hint of moisture in the air which I tried to show by keeping the background a little soft then worked on the shadowy trees and the foreground grass. It was the effect of light and shadow that initially attracted me to this little scene and I enjoyed working on this piece. 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

WINTER MARSH

 

I painted this painting 'en plein air' working from a vantage point overlooking an inlet into the marsh. It was cold and windy so I didn't spend too long out there! At first, I wasn't that happy with the painting when I got it home but after some time, I realized I did capture something of the character of the place and now I like it a little more. Over the past few months I have been working on smaller oil studies. Towards what, I'm not really sure but I do feel that it is there somewhere in front of me and if I do enough of these paintings, I'll hopefully discover what it is I am searching for. If not, I'll go back to working on other sizes - probably large sky paintings. This one is another 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

ADVENTURE BAY

 

This view on Bruny Island off the coast of Tasmania looking along the beach was one that took me to a very special place. We spent time exploring and after making a few sketches, we drove down to the end of Adventure Bay and walked the trail to Penguin Island - what an incredible experience! In reflection, I'm surprised I haven't done a lot more paintings of this area - I'm sure I'll get to them in due course though. Frankly, there are so many images in my head that I want to translate into paintings that I'll probably never get to do them all. Oil on board, 8 x 10 inches.