[Mackem George]

Monochrome magic pure and simple every last detail is alive,outstanding GEORGE

[timwootton]

Originally Posted by oivind egeland

These are just outstanding! Is it rude to ask what kind of coal and paper you use (and what format?) The birds have details that I haven't been able to make with charcoal myself.

Not rude at all, Oivind . . . we're all here to try and learn from each other.
I use heavy gauge lining paper (wall paper) and various thicknesses of charcoal - from 2cm diameter to 3mm. Very sharp edges are easy to make (if required) by scribbling on card with the charcoal. I use a Mahl-stick a lot when working on big charcoals.
Most of my charcoal paintings are 33"x22", so what may look like very detailed areas of work may actually be quite sketchily drawn - but the reduction in scale for the computer screen will obviously tighten the work up somewhat.

I've been asked by a couple of people about my charcoal painting techniques, so I thought it may be best illustrated by showing a step-by-step process of a piece of work. There are occasional detailed images which show bits of technique such as lifting off drawn areas with a putty rubber, or blending some patches with bluetac.

If there's anything unclear, or you want to ask anything about the process, please don't hesitate to ask.

[timwootton]

. . .

[timwootton]

last 4

[TorbenBack]

Tim,

To be honest I felt a little bit like Oivind hesitating to ask, but more in the direction of the technique used, so I am very pleased – like many others I´m sure – that you have taken your time to show “us” the process. Black magic at it´s best – brilliant.

Many thanks,
Torben

[oivind egeland]

Well, this was certainly more than I hoped for. Thank you, Tim, this was a treat. You make it look easy, but it isn't! I'm just wondering - how long did this take you?

[Woody]

Love it! Thanks Tim, I may give the old charcoal pencils a bit of a dusting off.

Mike

[Bigshent]

Originally Posted by Woody

Love it! Thanks Tim, I may give the old charcoal pencils a bit of a dusting off.

Mike

I may buy some but would probably be disappointed. Its not just the birds that look fantastic but the sea looks like you dip your toe in it if it wasnt so blady rough out to sea. Love the walk through Tim

[solitaryVSong]

Absolutely fascinating Tim!

[mayoayo]

Yes Fascinating,..Nice step-by-step Mini-tutorial!...All beautiful and even more Impressing to see the ease of your approach and simplicity of Your view.
Thanks again

[timwootton]

Just with reference to Ken's recent postings about dragonfly art (very beautifully done, may I add) I thought I'd stick these up here. Last year I was lucky enough to be invited to visit the beautiful island of Sark with the ANF and, although birds were passing through and offering interesting opportunities for fieldwork, I found myself gravitating towards a somewhat more macro approach . . . so much so that the locals took to describing me a s 'the one that draws insects' - nothing could be further from the truth, being a complete novice at bug-life (from life, anyway) - but they are accessible and they do often behave 'properly' for an artist, which is quite unlike the way birds can be.
Anyway - bugs from life;

[ARTHUR BISHOP]

Tim you have that gift of capturing what you see what ever it maybe. Tutorial superb.
arthur

[Woody]

He's gone all David Measures on us!

Nice work Tim.

Mike

[halftwo]

Love the bugs!

[ed keeble]

Originally Posted by halftwo

Love the bugs!

great collection of Woottbugs

you could give up those cold wet rocks and stinky fish-eating birds

and live down south in the warm, doing butterflies like a latterday Gordon Beningfield

[timwootton]

Originally Posted by ed keeble

great collection of Woottbugs

you could give up those cold wet rocks and stinky fish-eating birds

and live down south in the warm, doing butterflies like a latterday Gordon Beningfield

. . . very tempting - especially on a day like today . . .

[timwootton]

Nothing like three shags in a day :)

[Woody]

Originally Posted by timwootton

Nothing like three shags in a day :)

Something most of us can only dream of.

I mean since most of us don't live close to the sea obviously...

Mike

[solitaryVSong]

Originally Posted by ARTHUR BISHOP

Tim you have that gift of capturing what you see what ever it maybe. Tutorial superb.
arthur

Exactly. I happened to briefly see a Red Admiral while out today and thought of your sketches. But he was gone before I even could think about getting out the sketchbook.

I really do like the idea of drawing insects from life and it's nice to see such fine examples.

As far as the double entendres downthread......... I think it safest to let them be.

[Larry Lade]

As a BirdForum moderator I am kept fairly busy, so it is always a pleasure for me from time to time to take a leisurely stroll through your awesome artwork threads!

Thanks, Tim!

[timwootton]

Originally Posted by Larry Lade

As a BirdForum moderator I am kept fairly busy, so it is always a pleasure for me from time to time to take a leisurely stroll through your awesome artwork threads!

Thanks, Tim!

Cheers Larry - you're always welcome down here

[colleenc]

Originally Posted by timwootton

Nothing like three shags in a day :)

Just awesome Tim

[Lykos]

only fantastic

[mark richards]

WOW!!! i can feel the sea spray....three shags in a day? I couldn't manage three sparrows...

[Paul Higson]

Tim has very kindly donated a number of illustrations from past Orkney Bird Reports, together with a few more bits and pieces for sale on e-bay in order to raise funds for the Orkney Bird Report.

Some have just gone on e-bay - Tim Wootton Orkney Bird Illustration - and more will follow over the coming weeks.

All profits from the sales will go to the coffers of the Orkney Bird Report in order to help with production costs etc.

This is an incredibly generous gesture by Tim and I expect you all to be even more generouser when bidding !!!!

Many thanks in advance for your bids - let battle commence !!!!!

Dropped a clanger and forgot to list them internationally . . . will get it right with next batch on the 23rd. If any "foreign" bids make it through will invoice you with p&p etc.