American Kestrel with Gesso Coat

Gesso Coat (Primer) ~ the first step in the painting process

AMERICAN KESTREL: READY FOR PAINT

AMERICAN KESTREL UPDATE

NEW WORK: AN EVOLVING FORM

AMERICAN KESTRAL CARVING

PREVIOUSLY...

While Bart is working on his newest project I thought I would finish posting photos of other work not previously shown. This now makes the blog inventory totally up to date.

RUDDY DUCK

AVOCET

WIGEON

LONG-TAILED DUCK in breeding plumage

The finished piece

Feather detail

                                           

 FUN FACTS:    (courtesy of seaduckjv.org)

~ Long-tailed ducks are mid-size sea ducks found in the northern regions of North America

~ Their estimated population is one million, with the greatest concentration in Canada

~ They are the most vocal sea duck

~ They are characterized by a tapered body, short neck & short bill

~ Only the males have the two slim, elongated central tail feathers

~ They fly close to the water's surface in constantly changing formations, 

   often twisting in flight, alternately showing the white belly versus the dark back

~ This species can dive 200 feet deeper than any other duck

Two Days Later

I was very excited to stop by Bart's house to see his progress on the Old Squaw Duck. With the initial dark paint coats on the articulated side feathers, the duck is beginning to have definition.

This represents two days work.