Colourful Plumage

Working in pastels with wildlife subjects, this artist is usually attracted by light and colour. The subtlety of combinations or the outright brilliance of hue can produce a painting which is at once aesthetically pleasing and visually harmonious.

- Dr Pete Marshall

The subject matter is my focus. It can be subtle or dramatic; subdued or vivid. I have chosen these birds, the Eclectus Parrots, because they are at once bold and vivid – but camouflaged into their natural environment in the tropical forests. They show extreme sexual dimorphism as the male is bright green, with highlights of red and blue; and the female is a combination of rich reds and blues. Feather textures are quite specific. The challenge is to create an artistic painting which is aesthetically pleasing and true to the nature and form of the subject.

I work as quickly and as loosely as I can – detailing only towards the final stages of the work – and trying to restrict such detailing to the points of focus or interest (such as the eyes or leaf margins).

STEP ONE