Tuesday 25 September 2018

Masked weaver

Acrylics on Masonite, 20 x 15 cm:


In winter, the males and females look pretty much the same: drab light brown. But during the breeding season the males turn bright yellow, with black mask and reddish eyes. They then construct their intricately woven nests, trying to attract a mate.

Friday 21 September 2018

Cape white-eyes

Cape white-eyes (Zosterops virens). Acrylics on Masonite, 15 x 20 cm.


These are the archetypal tweety birds: round and fluffy and cute looking. They're quite common around here, where they move in small groups through dense foliage, looking for insects and chattering to one another.


Saturday 25 August 2018

Tuscan window

Oil on board, 20 x 25 cm:


When it comes to painting outdoors subjects, I seem to prefer this sort of intimate scene rather than grand vistas. Not even sure what one should call this: landscape or still life? No idea, but it is what it is.

Sunday 12 August 2018

Ceramic and egg

Oil on board, 20 x 15 cm (= about 8 x 6 in).
Painted with a limited palette of ocher yellow, ocher red, black and white. Using such a limited range of colors makes for an interesting challenge, particularly if you try to paint green or blue things; I cheated a bit here by picking subjects with colors that could be fairly easily approximated with what I had available.