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Monday, 5 December 2011

Avian Faces - Bush-stone Curlews


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.

Detail

14 comments:

  1. Tom Sarmo5 December 2011 at 11:40

    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!

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  2. Matteo Grilli5 December 2011 at 15:04

    Thank 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.

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  3. Paschalis Dougalis5 December 2011 at 17:47

    Awesome drawings Matteo!

    Paschalis

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  4. Jarnie Godwin 5 December 2011 at 19:26

    The character and expression in these drawings is just extraordinary. Fab!

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  5. Krista/Ruca6 December 2011 at 06:55

    Such 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.

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  6. Claire6 December 2011 at 07:11

    lovely work Matteo x

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  7. elisabetta mitrovic6 December 2011 at 23:07

    che belli questi occhi!

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  8. Bob Bushell6 December 2011 at 23:16

    Your paintings are really great.

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  9. MILLY10 December 2011 at 04:08

    Just 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.

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  10. Elvi11 December 2011 at 01:55

    Lavori stupendi. Elvi

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  11. Fran A.H. Alvarado12 December 2011 at 08:56

    Hello Matteo
    A 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

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  12. birdspot12 December 2011 at 10:11

    Beautiful. I can't thank the internet enough for bringing artists together across continents. Happy Holidays to you and yours.

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  13. Matteo Grilli15 December 2011 at 06:57

    Happy Holidays to you too Catherine, and everybody else too!

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  14. Harriet26 December 2011 at 04:33

    They are really beautiful, the light in the eye is amazing.

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