I was inspired to take this sketch below and recreate it in oil painting. But when I did - I wanted it to become more realistic. So I laboured over the composition as I felt the sketch version was rather 2D which was fine in the sketch form. In the oil edition I wanted the perspective to almost come out of the painting ‘alive’. So I decided the fence line would have to come forward towards to viewer and the foot of the adult Pukeko would be stepping out towards the viewer too. It was also important to me to have a classic New Zealand farm feel to the scenery with a touch of - wow our country is just beautiful isn’t it.
This piece was to join a number of others in a series of native birds where I explore realistic representations but in surreal situations - like a pukeko tightrope walking on a fence wire.
Below you will see the steps it took to bring this idea together.
The Pukeko original sketch made for the native bird card range.
Blocking the sky in.
I realised the baby was too close to the parent.
At this point I decided to move the baby as it was too close to the parent bird. It greatly improved the balance of the painting and I am glad I moved it before progressing too far.
The baby moved and balances better.
I had a lot of fun bringing this to life.
Fine work on the feathers.
The finished painting. I am over the moon with it!
‘Wobbly Wire Walkers’ Oil on Canvas, 1000 x 700mm, 2021.