Grey Butcherbird in acrylics

I love the tilt of this one's head.  

Grey Butcherbird measures 4 x 6 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth Paper.

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Sacred Kingfisher No 3 in acrylics

I love how this one is perched on the branch.

Sacred Kingfisher No 3 measures 4 x 6 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth paper.

Many thanks to Ed Dunens for the reference photo.

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Cardinal in acrylics

I love the vibrant red feathers of the Cardinal.

Cardinal measures 4 x 6 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth Paper

Many thanks to Kelly Strope for the reference photo.

Blue Tit No 6 in acrylics

I loved painting this fluffy little guy. 

Blue Tit No 6 measures 4 x 6 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth paper.

Many thanks to Aschi for the reference photo.

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Red Capped Robin in acrylics

So for my next Australian bird, I painted  Red Capped Robin. Robins are another one of my favourite birds - they are just so colourful.  Rather like the background that I created - went for a two tone effect - I think it works rather well. 

Red Capped Robin  measures 4 x 6  inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth Arches watercolour paper.

Many thanks to Patrick Kavanagh for the reference photo.

Painted Firetail in acrylics

I really enjoyed painting this one.  Love its markings and colouring.  These birds are also known as a Painted Finch and are found across Northern and Central Australia. 

Painted Firetail measures 6 x 4 inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth Arches Watercolour paper.

 Many thanks to Jim Bendon for the reference photo.

Double Eyed Fig Parrot in Acrylics

I was a bit worried painting this one as there was a lot of green.  It was  interesting painting the green figs to stand out again the  the green feathers.  I find that Ultramarine Blue and transparent yellow mixed together makes a lovely green.  I am rather pleased how it turned out in the end.

Double Eyed Fig Parrots are Australia's smallest parrot being on average around 14 cm in length.  They are found down the east coast of Australia from Cape York Peninsula to northern New South Wales. They are also found in New Guinea. 

Double Eyed Fig Parrot measures 6 x 4 inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth Arches watercolour paper.

Many thanks to James Niland for the reference photo.

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Autumn River in acrylics

I finally got around to painting this landscape.   I painted this one a bit differently - painted the whole panel with the blue sky colour first.  Once that was dry, I painted in the dark green forest and then once that had dried I stippled in the autumn foliage colours using a deerfoot stippler - this brush is great for foliage. Then I just painted in the water reflections and added the rocks.  Rather pleased how it turned out in the end.

Autumn River measures 6 x 4 inches and is painted on canvas board.

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Many thanks to Kathy Detweiler for the reference photo.

Flame Robin in acrylics

I loved painting this one.  Everything just seemed to work and I am really pleased with the result. 

I have found another reference photo of a butterfly.  This time a American Lady.  I have painted the background so will paint the butterfly in the next few days. 

Also, I ordered a few Raymar 6 x 8 canvas panel to try out and they should arrive next week.  Just want to try them before placing another order for panels.  The Raymar panels are a lot lighter than the Ampersand Gessobord panels, are available in a few different sizes and come in packs of 10 so I am looking forward to trying them out. 

Flame Robin measures 6 x 4 inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth Arches watercolour paper.

Many thanks to Patrick Kavanagh for the reference photo.

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Scarlet Robin in Acrylics

I did finish the butterfly painting - actually only finished it on Friday - took longer to paint than I thought it would.  Just waiting for the paint to cure before varnishing it so will post it in the next few days. 

This is the other one I had lined up to paint. I am rather pleased how it turned out.  Scarlet Robins can be found across Australia and can be confused with the Flame Robin.  The Scarlet Robin has a larger white patch above its bill compared to the Flame Robin.

Scarlet Robin measures 6 x 4 inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth Arches watercolour paper.

Many thanks to Patrick Kavanagh for the reference photo.

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Red Browed Finch in acrylics

I decided to paint another Red Browed Finch but in a larger format.  I thought I was finished but when I came to scan it, I decided I needed to do a bit more work of the back feathers. So after a bit of tweaking I am rather pleased with the final piece.  In interesting fact about them is that they are highly sociable birds and are often seen in small flocks of 10 to 20 birds. 

Red Browed Finch measures 6 x 4 inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth Arches watercolour paper.

Many thanks to Patrick Kavanagh for the reference photo.

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Crested Shrike Tit in acrylics

I am also really pleased how this one turned.  I love the crest of this bird - very striking.  An interesting fact about them is that they can be heard tearing the bark of trees look for insects. 

Crested Shrike Tit measures 4 x 6 inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth Arches watercolour paper.

Many thanks to Patrick Kavanagh for the reference photo.

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Eastern Yellow Robin in Acrylics

I love it when I painting just comes together.  This was on of them.  Everything just seemed to work and I am really pleased how it turned out. Eastern Yellow Robins are about 15 - 16 cm in length so they are one of our larger robins.

Eastern Yellow Robin measures 4 x 6 inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth Arches watercolour paper.

Many thanks to Patrick Kavanagh for the reference photo.

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Striated Pardalote in acrylics

This is the other painting that I never got around to painting before my holiday. I used the same background colours as the Spotted Pardalote which I think works really well.  The average size of a Striated Pardalote 9 cm and weigh around 11 grams.

Striated Pardalote measures 6 x 4 inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth Arches watercolour paper.

Many thanks to Patrick Kavanagh for the reference photo.

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Spotted Pardalote in acrylics

I loved painting this one - it just all seemed to come together.  Really like my background colour too.  I am also going to be painting a 6 x 4 inch Striated Pardalote with a similar background colour - just ran out of time to paint it before going on holiday so will paint it in the next few days.

Spotted Pardalote measures 6 x 4 inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth Arches Watercolour paper.

Many thanks to Wayne Butterworth for the reference photo.

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New Holland Honeyeater in acrylics

I couldn't resist painting this one.  Just love the position the bird is  sitting on the branch.   These birds are found throughout southern Australia from Brisbane to just North of Perth.  It is about 18 cm in length.

New Holland Honeyeater measures 6 x 4 inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth Arches watercolour paper.

Many thanks to  Patrick Kavanagh for the reference photo.

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Little Robin in acrylics

I can't resist painting this cute little bird.  I decided to use a canvas board for a change as I like the 6 x 4 inch size and can't get this size in the Ampersand Gessobord panel.  Rather pleased how it turned out.  Think I will paint another Laughing Kookaburra on the other 6 x 4 board that I bought.

Little Robin measures 6 x 4 inches and is painted on canvas board.

Many thanks to Kev Chapman for the reference photo.

Eastern Bluebird in acrylics

I am really happy how this one turned out.  I used white, ultramarine blue and burnt amber to create the background colour  of bluey grey. Someone ask me the other day were I start a painting.  With a bird or animal painting I always start with the eyes - can't get into a painting unless I do them at the beginning - just doesn't look right until they are painted.  And for some reason I always paint the birds beak last. 

Eastern Bluebird measures 6 x 4 inches and is painted on 300gsm  Arches smooth watercolour paper.

Many thanks to Andy Reago and Chrissy McClarren for the reference photo.

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Red Capped Robin in acrylics

I decided to paint another red capped robin but in a larger format.  I always find painting the red feathers a challenge - can't just add white to lighten them so end up mixing white and yellow to create the lighter highlights.

Red Capped Robin measures 4 x 6 inches and is painted on 300gsm Arches smooth watercolour paper.

Many thanks to Patrick Kavanagh for the reference photo.

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Superb Fairy Wren in acrylics

I have had this one printed out for a while to paint.  I went and bought a tube of phthalo blue acrylic paint - makes painting the feathers a lot easier. I love painting the little wrens so I am also planning on painting two more but  in oils - one will be another superb fairy wren and the other will be mallee emu-wren. 

Superb Fairy Wren measures 6 x 4 inches and is painted on 300gsm smooth Arches Watercolour paper.

Many thanks to Wayne Butterworth for the reference photo.

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