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!