Painting the Blue Bird, A Work in Progress

Painting the Blue Bird, Oil on Panel, 10"x10"

After looking at yesterday's work, I decided to reposition the head of the bird.  With this position, I can have the bird looking at the viewer.  This position also changed the wing and tail.  

Painting the Blue Bird, A Work in Progress

Painting the Blue Bird, Oil on Panel, 10"x10"

I am at last back in the studio after spending the last six weeks in Italy.  The expected trip was to be until April 6.  However, we were caught in the Italian Covid-19 outbreak and needed to leave early. 

As I've been pondering props to add interest to the bird paintings, I came upon the idea of having them perch on a paint brush dipped in the main color of the bird.  I think of it as saying, "Hey.  This is a painting."  As I finished today, thought, I was wishing the bird's head was turned toward the viewer.  

Nuthatch

Nuthatch, 2020, Oil on Panel, 10" x 8"

When I first began painting birds, they were rendered loosely as was the ground,  Quite often the ground would reflect colors from the bird which could be loose feathers or not.  Gradually I moved away from that to a subtle ground that would set off a very tight detailed bird.  This piece gives me the loose ground area with the tight bird, an attempt to marry abstraction with realism.  

Nuthatch, Work in Progress

Oil on Panel, 10" x 8"

I'm trying something a bit different with this painting.  Inspired by a quick application of my end of the work day palette, I worked toward the left side image.  There will be more work on the tree and ground to give it an accurate yet abstract appearance which somehow will meld with a detailed bird. How?  The balance will need to be exact.  

Say What!?!, 2020, Oil on Panel, 12"x12"

When beginning this painting, I researched the size of a chickadee and was surprised to learn they are 4.75 to 5.9 inches.  They seem much more petite when flitting around and their brief sit on the feeder.  I tried here to match that Identification.  

Chickadees and a Nuthatch

Nuthatch, Oil on Panel, 12"x8"

Say What?!?, Oil on Panel, 12"x12"

It's been bitterly cold here, below freezing for days.  The air, the water, the trees are steeped in gray, but the sunsets are vibrant.  The chickadees and the nuthatch are here coming hourly to the feeders.  Say What?!? is a compilation of photos taken in and around the feeders.  They are so fast and linger only briefly wherever they perch.  I imagine them have a conversation which fits with their constant chattering.  

The nuthatch came about as I was playing with paint remaining on my palette at the end of the day.  I've decided that the Naples Yellow will develop into a more recognizable tree.  

Recent Commissions

Garden Chair, 2019, Oil on Panel, 10"x8"

Northern Cardinal, 2019, Oil on Panel, 5"x5"

Female Cardinal, 2019, Oil on Panel, 5"x5"

White Hydrangeas, 2019,  46"x60", Oil on Canvas