With this painting I wanted to focus on the variety of different expressions that I could notice in the Bush-stone Curlew,
Burhinus grallarius. The bottom right bird looks 'sad' but I wouldn't say the bird was actually sad, the way they are able to move their feathers, especially around their eyes and beak, allows them to appear different according to their mood or need to communicate with other birds. I noticed this is even truer for nocturnal birds, probably due to the bigger size of their eyes. It is amazing and surprising how quickly and suddenly birds can change their appearance.
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Natural change in bird expression is not something I ever really thought about, as I can't help anthropomorphizing everything I draw. So considering this has been particularly fascinating--especially being able to see it in these subtle and amazing watercolor studies. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tom, I reckon birds' expressions are subtle and fleeting, very easy to overlook... but they intrigue me, and I'm planning to do more on this subject.
ReplyDeleteAwesome drawings Matteo!
ReplyDeletePaschalis
The character and expression in these drawings is just extraordinary. Fab!
ReplyDeleteSuch great expression you've captured. I can really visualize the transition from one expression to the next coinciding with a change in head position. I'm looking forward to seeing more of these from you.
ReplyDeletelovely work Matteo x
ReplyDeleteche belli questi occhi!
ReplyDeleteYour paintings are really great.
ReplyDeleteJust so lovely, all of the studies and I think you are very clever capturing the different expresions. The second painting of the eye is beautiful, shows such sensitivity.
ReplyDeleteLavori stupendi. Elvi
ReplyDeleteHello Matteo
ReplyDeleteA great study of a great bittern posing . In Spain we have the Burhinus oedicnemus, I think it´s a very interesting motif for a work ...
Regards and Happy Christmas
Beautiful. I can't thank the internet enough for bringing artists together across continents. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to you too Catherine, and everybody else too!
ReplyDeleteThey are really beautiful, the light in the eye is amazing.
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