Pencil outline, where every artwork starts from, sourced from my own photos.

I thought I would try a sand technique that I’d observed in an oil painting my mother has hanging on her wall.

I loaded an old toothbrush up with wet Gouache and masked off an area I didn’t want to paint. I should have masked off most of the table too as my first flick didn’t quite hit the target I was hoping for. The second attempt I had too much water and created a big blob of water that I had to sponge off with a paper towel.

I then added some larger stones and a few shadows with a small paint brush to add a bit of variation.

Next I thought I would try and add a water background, this I must admit I haven’t got the hang of yet. Saying that, I have only just started painting in Gouache after about 25yrs lapse, so this may take some time to acquire the skills I’m looking for.

After my wishy washy background I started on the birds undercoat, which will give you a good idea if tonally things are going to work out or not.

I usually start with the birds eye and work down towards the feet adding more layers of feathers as I go.

If I was to paint this again, I would soften the water so it’s not as much of a distraction from the bird.

I guess this one will not make the top 20 for my exhibition sometime next year at Glenella Guesthouse in Blackheath, where I’ve been staying for the past 6weeks and hopefully have my first exhibition.

I’m hoping to exhibit originals and prints for sale at the end of 2020.

This painting did end up flying to Philadelphia, USA.