I planned to take an idea from a sketch I had done previously and turn this into a larger oil painting. In the process I would add more details to the scene and make it look more realistic. The trick being, this scene is a bit surreal, you’re not likely to see a Kea sneaking off with a set of keys to a Kia car are we? This painting would become part of a series of four paintings for an upcoming exhibition - all with a surreal twist.
Below is the sketch that was the initial idea.
The original idea sketched out in watercolour and pen. This image was used on a range of greeting cards I had created.
Sketching out the layout of the Kea.
First colour layer going down.
A few layers in, forgot to take progress shots.
Adding in the dark shadows under each feather.
You can see it coming to life.
See the behind the creation of this oil painting of a Kea (native mountain parrot to New Zealand). Kea are known for being super cheeky, they often steal or destroy human's belongings when they come in contact. Recently a Kea was filmed stealing a Go Pro camera from a hiker. In this painting I play on this cheeky nature but also pair that with a visual pun of stealing a 'Kia' set of car keys hence the title "Kea Driver".
The final piece. Oil on canvas, 700 x 1000mm.