Lloyd's Workbench

L

Lloyd Heins

Member
Done...
Finished cleaning up the eyes last night. I've still got a long ways to go but I'm pretty happy with the results. Finally painted my first hen. I made them from sugar pine. I'm thinking the two center to left will be a wedding gift for my daughter in October/ Thanks for looking, critiques are always welcome :)


 
Good morning, Lloyd~

Real eye-catchers! Beautiful paint and attitude.

However - since you invited advice - I want to make a suggestion on your placement of the primary groups. I believe they need a bit more curve - to show where they come from.

Here's a quick sketch showing both the major feather groups on a wing AND - more important - how the wing is held on the body when the bird is at rest.


Wing%20Feather%20Groups_zpskx45rfm0.jpg


My key suggestion is to draw the entire wing on the bird when you are laying out the feathers. Most of the wing will get covered up by the side pocket feathers and also the scapulars and tertials. However, by laying them out, you can get the proper orientation of each feather group - especially the secondaries (speculum) and primaries.


This stylized preening Mallard shows the wing on top of the side pocket - and shows the coverts, secondaries and primaries as separate (simplified) groups. Note that I combined the scapular and tertial groups into a single shape.


Mallard%20Drake%20-%202%20May%202013%20back_zpscjsnwv8u.jpg


On this Hen Whistler gunner, I showed lots of speculum and the primary groups.


25a%20Primary%20groups_zpsaxrhhaal.jpg



Here is how I did a Can - showing a bit of speculum.

Canvasback%20A%20-%20January%202013_zps1yycalq9.jpg


NOTE! The speculum can certainly be held "dropped" below the primary groups. This is especially true when the primaries are crossed. However, the primaries grow out of the "hand" portion of the wing (the secondaries grow out of the "forearm" portion) and so the line of each feather must flow from that portion of the wing below the "wrist".

Saving wings from your birds is very helpful for this job.

Hope this helps!

SJS
 
Thank you for the kind words guys. I appreciate you sharing your observation and pointers Steve. I will change them on the next ones.
 
Almost made a recommendation that you lighten the backs up on those brant. I quickly stopped myself upon realizing you live on the "other coast". Excellent work and love the detail on the sides
 
Good morning, Lloyd~

Gorgeous work! The phrase "elegant in their simplicity" - both the carving and the painting - leaps to mind.

All the best,

SJS
 
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