Mike's conservatory (1 Viewer)

[RussB]

A masterly piece, sir! Technically brilliant and a very understated, and under rated, species. A proper brace of 'English partridge' ; not some poor blighters stuck in a game bag, or whatever they call them.

Russ

 

[phil baber]

Little Owl and Partridges are a dream come true. I love these!

 

[Woody]

My sketchbook's been gathering dust for some reason so I wiped off the cobwebs and took it out for a spin over to Elmley early on Sunday. Despite persistent rain there were a few bits to see as always. Whenever it's raining on the reserve I check the rafters of the barn at the entrance, it's here that the barn owl often takes shelter and it's lovely to see him peering out of the gloom.

Way off in the distance I saw a peregrine perched on the strengtheners of a couple of telegraph poles. A convenient perch for her but too far off for me to get any decent views. Lapwings like the rain, it softens the soil and makes worm hunting easier.

It's a regular thing that the flocks of lapwings and starlings lift from the ground with the presence of a bird of prey, very often a marsh harrier or, occasionally if I'm lucky, a hen harrier like the one I spotted this week. The marsh harriers though are more reliable and I got to put in a couple of sketches.

On the farm by the car park there's a feeder station maintained by the warden and a pheasant often feeds around the base of it. He went in the book as practise.

As is often the case I didn't have long so I didn't go out to the hides but headed back down the track after a brief pit stop. Mammals are always a bit of a challenge for me but I couldn't resist this hare who was quite happy to carry on with his morning ablutions just as though nobody was watching.

Mike

 

[Woody]

Last of the hare.

Mike

 

[mattybohan]

Great work. I missed the partridges...very nice indeed.

 

[solitaryVSong]

The pages of your dusty sketchbook are always a treat Mike. I particularly like the hares. I know what you mean about mammals being a challenge. However yours never LOOK like they were a challenge!

 

[Rahul Parekh]

Beautiful compositions Mike. Excellent work. Loved the lighting in your paintings . Your Sketch book is very impressive too .

All best wishes,

Cheers, Rahul

 

[phil baber]

Oh! These are lovely!

 

[mattybohan]

a lively group of sketches!

 

[colleenc]

outstanding work on the hare and a record of a joyous day on the pages...

 

[mark richards]

fantastic stuff mate...mark

 

[Woody]

Just a quick study as part of prep for a larger piece featuring redwing and maybe fieldfare or songthrush too, not decided for definite yet. Approx 10"x10 acrylic on illustration board.

Mike

 

[solitaryVSong]

This is a real beauty Mike. Strong composition but especially the color and light are very striking. It's a beauty as is and I'm sure will be even more so in a more finished work. I just love this one!

 

[JTMB]

I agree with Ken, this is an outstanding piece already, study or not! I like the perspective, and the bird is really well done.

 

[timwootton]

terrific piece mate - tip top!

 

[Andrew H]

Outstanding.......

 

[mark richards]

thats fantastic mate.....mark.

 

[Woody]

Since there are plenty of clouds about at the moment, I thought I'd paint some!

I might take a leaf out of Colleen's book and try a whole bunch of cloudscapes, maybe not 100, I don't think I've got the same level of dedication as Colleen!

I'm now going to attempt painting under artificial light, I hate these grey winter days that end almost before they start...

Mike

Approx 10"x12" on canvas btw

 

[timwootton]

Great idea, mate - and what a start!!! Beautiful piece - again!

 

[Andrew H]

So, we now have 'Sky Art'....any royalties in the wording.......?. Seriously, this could run to a 100 production with so many variables.......I seem to remember a certain BBC winner with a whole load of clouds in...Another winner soon me thinks.