From Tim Wootton's Studio (1 Viewer)

[username]

All these excellent skua pics:t: are just reminding me that i haven't seen enuff of them in recent years.....

ps....oh for a good autumn seawatch or two....[preferably with squadrons of skua species passing by]....

pps...i'd make do with a just few poms n a long tailed tho....

 

[sfrissell]

Obviously, you have made good use of your "break for freedom"! These sketches are terrific. On my computer screen at least, the last several posts have an intriguing lemon yellow and pale violet tint to them. It may just be the lighting you had when taking the photos, but it is a nice simple color touch.

 

[phil baber]

All these sketches are informative and delicious and delightful.

I can see all these in a "coffee table" edition of "Tim Wootton's Orkney Sketchbooks!" What a sumptuous edition that would be!

 

[buzzard12]

Quite amazing work Tim, in a rush now for work, but rest assured will bae back later for a proper drool....

 

[birdboybowley]

wonderful to see what normally distant dots of skuas and divers look like when you get intimate with them.

Not even gonna go there.....:-O
But seriously, fantastic sketches Tim....really top-notch stuff. I've got Keith Brockie's sketchbook and I can't see any difference in quality between you both!

 

[barry robson]

Great…great…great!!

And how cool is it to be able to say 'I'll just nip round… to see how the redthroats are doing'? Love it!

B

 

[colleenc]

the studio piece of the skuas is flawless beauty, everything, the comp, light masses, touch of the brush, just flawless...and so expressive, what magic an artist brings to real life moments to get that into a piece that stays still in time so others can share it..


sketches over the top

 

[RussB]

Wow!
More superb work, Tim. The last two sketchbook posts have me thinking: What lies in heaven for people who love to peek through sketchbooks? Drawing of this quality, that's what! Wonderful - nothing, I mean nothing is overdone or out of proportion here.

If chairs and vases will help me draw like this then I'm off to Kenanka - my nearest interior deco store!

Russ

 

[timwootton]

Had to take another look at the dark phase bird - just a couple of issues regarding the face of the bird - I think I've sorted it now, but time may change that opinion.
I've also been working up the field sketch of the intermediate phase bird and this is a result that I'm not unhappy with.
"Keeping An Eye Out; Intermediate Arctic Skua", watercolour - 22"x15"

 

[solitaryVSong]

More beautiful orchestrations of light and atmosphere Tim, not to mention the birds themselves. Someone suggested a book of this summer's work. I think that's just the ticket! I wish I knew someone at Princeton University Press, who I think was the publisher of Lars' last book. Whoever had the good sense to publish your newest work I think would have a hit on their hands.

 

[phil baber]

Astonishing. Life-affirming. Wonderful.

 

[birdboybowley]

Left hand pic has got to be the best skuas yet!!!! Wow

 

[jacquot]

If you miss a few days sometimes it is hard to know what to say. I love the field work and notes, and paintings are just great. I've said it before, but I love how you see birds.

 

[Redolance]

Beautiful work Tim!

 

[buzzard12]

Left hand pic has got to be the best skuas yet!!!! Wow

I was going to say the same of the right hand pic. It's just stunning. The light is incredible, the bird itself perfectly described. Very special indeed. If this doesnt inspire you theres something badly amiss.

 

[ed keeble]

Had to take another look at the dark phase bird - just a couple of issues regarding the face of the bird - I think I've sorted it now, but time may change that opinion.

Just been in for another look- its a really fantastic piece: and thickening up the bill on the light phase bird was more than a tinker- it has added to the overall relaxed-but-powerful mood

 

[Suvi]

I really enjoy looking at your sketches Tim! You capture alot of life in the birds

 

[Woody]

I obvoiusly had no need to comment further on this latest bunch delightful skuaness, you clearly would have heard my gasps of amazement all the way up where you are.

Mike

 

[timwootton]

Had really close encounters with a short-eared owl last week during youngest sprog's riding lesson down in the old country of South Ronaldsay (it's easy to forget that these birds were sighted daily when we lived down there). I wanted to recreate the warm end of day light which bathed the landscape as the bird drifted over the meadows and paddocks.
watercolour 22"x15"

 

[solitaryVSong]

I wanted to recreate the warm end of day light which bathed the landscape as the bird drifted over the meadows and paddocks.
watercolour 22"x15"[/QUOTE

And it sure looks like you've been successful. There is quite a sense of overall light bathing the scene. I also think that you've been bold in letting the lower wing go completely into the dark shrub. The bird could be read as something sticking out of that dark mass, more like a road sign than a bird. But it doesn't at all. It still has a great sense of loft, overcoming what I think would normally be something that shouldn't work compositionally. (This is just my gut reaction, and as usual may be completely off the wall). In any case it's a great success I think. Makes me want to be outside rather than in here on the computer. But I'm trying to line up a sale so it's time well spent.