Mike's conservatory (1 Viewer)

[buzzard12]

Very nice Mike, lovely little painting...

 

[Andrew H]

You mentioned another snipe picture, and thought it was going to be a 'loose daily', having looked at this, the whole thing is great, there is nothing that i dont like about this one mike...!!!!!!!
This wont stand around long either.....
B

 

[ste]

Excellent painting Mike, Snipe and habitat just perfect. You always manage to get the eyes so alive. well done,
Steve

 

[Woody]

Thanks all.

Back on the daily quickies I seem to be settling into a bit of a style and detail level now. If I can keep it consistent then I'll be happy.

Mike

 

[desgreene]

Nice one Mike. Love the composition with the vapour trail and the texture and colours in the breast feathers.

 

[ste]

Great picture Mike. Like the way you have the map of Africa and western Europe in the clouds mapping the birds forthcoming journey.
Steve

 

[Woody]

Glad you spotted that Steve, in the actual painting it's a touch more subtle.

Mike

 

[Andrew H]

yep, very subtle.......out of the few i showed it to, no one spotted it till after I told them

 

[nickderry]

excellent, very clever idea indeed.

 

[Woody]

excellent, very clever idea indeed.

Nicked it from Bateman's hedgehog! :king:

Mike

 

[ARTHUR BISHOP]

another daily gem Mike.

 

[Woody]

Thanks each. I must admit I'm losing confidence in it already: Bit too far on the old cheesometer perhaps? Gotta rein in the lateral thinking and paint it like it is I think.

Mike

 

[nickderry]

Thanks each. I must admit I'm losing confidence in it already: Bit too far on the old cheesometer perhaps? Gotta rein in the lateral thinking and paint it like it is I think.

Mike

Sod that, I love the message in it, it makes it so much more than a swallow on a wire.

 

[Woody]

The summer lull continues, the yellow wagtails were conspicuous by their absence, as were the snipe. Little egrets glowed with reflected sunlight and seemed whiter than even the mute swan pair that fed, preened and swam gently on one of the small ponds. The long grass cover has been trimmed in many places creating a sort of kestrel heaven where the small furry creatures have fewer places to hide from the sharp eyed. The marsh harriers seemed to be enjoying the bounty alongside their smaller cousins. A single corn bunting rattled his keys at us as we passed by his post and groups of mipits flew up from the road.

The sun was bright, just like July should be, but, as soon as we stepped out of the car, the chilly wind gave us a reminder that autumn isn't far off. Peace reigns on the scrape, quiet feeding or sleeping out of the wind seems to be the order of the day. Groups of avocet and black tailed godwit were roosting far off with one or two redshank mixed in for good measure. Closer to the hide a couple of common sands joined a solitary little ringed plover as he dashed about by the rapidly receding waterline. Obviously a young bird, he was smooth and sleek in excellent feather condition, in total contrast to the dishevelled ringed plover who looked like he needed a well earned rest after raising this year's little'uns.

Back at the car I glimpsed a hobby overhead, watched one or two swallows as they hawked insects over the gravel, late summer treats to be savoured knowing that they'll be gone sooner than we'd all like.

Mike

 

[Woody]

I've been a busy boy over the weekend, my daughter Beth is appearing in a show all of this week and there were about nine different costumes to be tweaked, modeled and photographed. So, once the evening came round, I needed a couple of drinks and a bit of art therapy!

Armed with an enthusiasm brought on by pascheran I started slopping paint about and having a riot making a right mess! My ever sensible (and non-drinking) wife reliably informed me that I had painted "a splodge...".
When asked for an opinion, my not always sensible (and on this occasion, non-drinking) son told me he thought it looked like "a splodge...". So, a bit crestfallen, I wiped off the past hour's work and set about putting some order into the chaos. Quite remarkably, some form began to emerge and the splodge turned into a pile of dry, dredged mud for a stonechat to enjoy the hot sun on. Another of my alla prima adventures, I like this one quite a lot, or I do today at any rate...

Mike

 

[nickderry]

lovely sketches, especially the 3/4 angle blackwit, yellow waggys disappeared round here too now - heard one the other day. So lovely sketches and a stunning stonechat, I'm glad you like this one, because you should, it's wonderful!

 

[desgreene]

One more big thumbs up for the Stonechat :t:

 

[ste]

Your right to like this one Mike. The splodge looks great. Lovely painting,
Steve

 

[birdpotter]

Great work going on here, Mike. I really would have liked to see that 'splodge' , though.

 

[Woody]

Damn but it's quiet round here lately! Where is everyone?

Had a day off yesterday to make sure I made my daughter's show on time in the evening. It gave me an opportunity to get out to Elmley for a couple of hours to enjoy the sunshine. The whole reserve is quiet but the drive in gave me some great views of a hobby as he was hawking dragonflies over one of the rapidly receding dykes. That alone was worth the drive, no sketches though, I was just enjoying the spectacle. Out at the hide the scrape is more dry mud now than water. A ringed plover was being very obliging so I filled a sketchbook page in a fairly leisurely way.

Polished the day off with the show and I now have sore hands after applauding my daughter somewhat enthusiastically!

A really good day with the weather reminding me of what holidays were like when I was a boy. Roll on my week in Norfolk!

Mike