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Oil paintings birds of Southern Africa (1 Viewer)

Luispereira65

Luis Pereira
Hello, I am a recent visitor to this forum and would like to share some of my paintings of Southern African Birds.....feel free to critique.... The first is of the Bateleur Eagle....
 

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Hello and welcome, Luis!

Bateleur eagles are impressive, aren't they? I wasn't able to catch a glimpse of one when I visited Zimbabwe in my twenties, to my regret.

As to critique: I must say, I am very impressed with the likeness you've captured here. The turned position of the head might read a little difficult if one isn't familiar with the species, but of course their noggins really can swivel this dramatically. :) I also like that you showed the dramatic plumage, yet left a small bit of room for interpretation. So many wildlife paintings of birds show every single feather in mind-boggling detail, and unless it's for a scientific illustration or hyper photo-realism, I feel it's best to just give a looser idea of the feather tracts just as you have done. Finally, I do find myself curious about the hard highlight in the eye, given that the background is so softly done, indicating (perhaps) diffuse light. Was this intentional? If so, is there a way to indicate elsewhere that there is such a bright light source? Otherwise I'd perhaps soften the highlight a teeny tiny bit.

Of course, these are just my thoughts. Feel free to disregard any or all of them as you deem fit.


Thanks for sharing,

Laura
 
Hello Laura, thanks for your comments and complements, you are quite correct the Bateleur Eagle, is a member of the Snake Eagles, they have very short tails and in flight it is apparent, they look a little odd compared to Falcons and kites.....regarding the light source and composition, the eagle is perched and starting to open its wings which are separated by the brown feathers on the Eagles back, the beige feathers are the flulf like feathers that line the top and bottom of the wing leading edge... Regarding light you are right, the eye reflection should be softened...great recommendations and once again thanks for taking the time to comment.....regards
 
This exotic looking bird is the African Hoopoe, common all over Southern Africa in the grassland looking for insects and worms, hence the long streamlined bill.
Enjoy...
 

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Orange breasted Sunbird, these colorful little birds feed on nectar from the colorful Erika plants that are common throughout the eastern Cape in South Africa
 

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Here is something a little different, I painted this in 2014, titled toucans of Iguazu, these are toco toucans the larger of the species out in the tropical jungle at Iguazu falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil.....enjoy....
 

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