[timwootton]

Bright, light bird - great composition, I think - another for the framers! Happy G-D's Birthday and have a wonderful time (they tell me that seeing the Grand'uns grow gives even more satisfaction than seeing the offspring grow - if that's the case - I can't wait. See ya next week Arthur!)

[buzzard12]

Hi Arthur,

Lovely work here. The Avocet is very striking and brave. My favoutite though is the Jackdaw, great portrait of a great bird. They have bags of personality and intelligence and you have it going on right there in the study..hats off to you!

[ARTHUR BISHOP]

Thankyou all, back now . Had a great time with all the grandchildren.Second childhood for me spoilt them rotten, then hand them back when worn out.
I think thats what they mean by being better Tim.
Started on the foreground for the Avo. Its May as well time to get the sketch book out or I will be left behind by all of you.

[Woody]

That's looking great Arthur. I love a bit of barbed wire and old wood!

Woody

[ARTHUR BISHOP]

Time to leave alone and sharpen the my pencils for the sketchathon.

draft and fin. painting. acrylic on board.17 1/2" x 12 1/2".

[nickderry]

A luminous bird and I am VERY jealous of your barbed wire! If I'd have painted that I'd be careful where I put my hands! Glad you had a good time with the grandchildren.

[Woody]

I think, of all your prodigious output, this is my favourite piece. Tis lovely.

Woody

[nickderry]

Just to add another thought Arthur, I'm really pleased to see that you're producing some very daring pieces now. Whereas before, some of your work, I felt, was resting on your obvious talent, ie ,you knew how to make a great looking picture without taking any risks. Great to see risks being taken in composition and light and to see the success achieved in the result! Looking forward to your next piece with great anticipation.

[ARTHUR BISHOP]

Thankyou both , I did enjoy putting this one together.

[ARTHUR BISHOP]

in the garden today couldn't resist these two full face. drawn up in crayon

[nickderry]

I love these, so many people get the brightest yellows and blues out for tits but the restrained subtle use of colour has made these a success.

[buzzard12]

These are lovely. Particularily the Great Tit, nice use of colour as Nick mentioned and brave choice of pose in my opinion Arthur. Not easy to get these right head on. Very nicely done...

[ARTHUR BISHOP]

This little one was being fed by mum but I think he ended up feeding the Sparrowhawk.

[timwootton]

These are superb, Arthur - the one facing away is just SO right!
Nice anecdote (to paraphrase Clint Eastwood - "sparrowhawk gotta eat too!")

[nickderry]

definitely, the one facing away is spot on, lovely subjects for a sketch.

[ARTHUR BISHOP]

Some sketches

[ARTHUR BISHOP]

Pen & Ink sketch, + colour.

[nickderry]

An excellent drawing. I have to say I find the original drawing more pleasing than the coloured version, the starlings are so rich in texture creating an interest all of its own that the addition of colour has started a battle for attention, I don't know if lightening the background could work better. Just my opinion, in any case an excellent drawing full of observation and I like the fact that one of the starlings 'isn't playing ball' and is completely ignoring the fact that he's having his picture taken.

[timwootton]

Just commented on the b/w version in 'Sketchathon' and I have to agree with Nick about the coloured version. If I may suggest something here, Arthur?
Take a huge blob of white acrylic and, by adding a dab of prussian blue and a hint of burnt sienna, make a juicy, lively grey and paint over the green with it (but, please keep it pale). I remember getting almost identical advice from a much valued and very talented friend when I made almost exactly the same chromalogical statement as you have here.
I didn't want to do it, but was persuaded to and the change was for the better. The artwork is just too good to be blinded by the green. (in my opinion).

[psilo]

LOL Tim love your use of the word juicy and lively. I dont think you could sell the idea better than that! Beautiful sketches Arthur, cracking detail, well done.

[ARTHUR BISHOP]

Thankyou all always open to advice. not so green as the picture now.Ime still on that tight learning curve. all three together to see my mistake the transformation .cheers Tim & Nick.

[nickderry]

Yes! Now we've got the birds back, this is excellent!

[timwootton]

As Nick says - there are the birds! - Great they are too.

[Woody]

Good advice, well taken and well executed has resulted in a cracking little picture, well done Arthur.

I've been watching 'my' starlings quite closely of late and they relly are lovely looking birds when you take the time to see.

Woody

[ed keeble]

Originally Posted by ARTHUR BISHOP

a bit more , trouble with the masking fluid. Had to switch to acrylic.

Hello there- I remembered you reporting a masking issue with this one and just thought I might check in for advice from all. What's does the team think the best technique for masking out small waders whilst painting a background? Is there one sort of masking fluid that works better than another? I've hopefully got a watercolour on the go with some plovers scattered about some dark mud and thought I might have shot at masking them out, so I can take the big stick to the mud...