Martha Aguero
November 2023 - Kingfisher
Original
About the Image(s)
I like this bird it has a funny beak and his head is small, and it has a great personality. This painting is a small part of a photo I took this year in February at the Cowichan Estuary, close where I live. The settings were ISO 200, with 190mm, f/4 at 1/1250s. I did paint in small format at 8x8 inches. I want to print in a 6x6 format. I did add a vibrant colour, and add contrast with levels. As always very grateful for all your comments.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted
This is a kingfisher, and in my opinion, it is your best painting yet! I love all your brush strokes on the bird and his house. Excellent result, I wouldn't change a thing on this one. Posted: 11/17/2023 14:37:17
(Group 17)
Thanks so much Cindy, your comments makes me more confident on my paint. I forgot to mention, the paint was done using a format of 8x8, and I didn't zoom in to paint it. I have already done a new version with a hairdo, included here. Posted: 11/17/2023 19:20:39
So charming. Love the composition and yellow perch. The two colors of bright Yellow and Gray blue really make this image pop. Your painting and brush strokes are well done but do not feel you can't zoom in to paint through out the painting session. I like the new version,too. You have taken a very basic nothing image and made it into a lovely work of art. Congratulations. Posted: 11/17/2023 23:06:06
(Group 17)
Thanks Nancy, I went back to the original image and yes it's kind of crappy, I think you'll never know till you do it, also I was thinking when you have a great picture with lots of detail, makes it harder to made them abstract, everything is so perfect, but in this case I have no choice just to paint it loosely. Posted: 11/20/2023 06:48:06
(Group 76)
Martha, quite an example of what you can do by zooming in to a portion of an image and creating something outstanding! The blues and yellow balance each other so well and your paint strokes in the background add to "frame" the coastal/shoreline of the habitat. The bird's eye is slightly off center, which is good. IMHO I would extend the right side of the image a bit to give more room for the beak, but that's just my personal carryover from shooting sports and animals. A question for you: why didn't you include more the bird house it was perched atop? Posted: 11/19/2023 17:44:43
(Group 17)
Sorry I misunderstood your question, about the birdhouse, mostly because I wanted to make as simple as possible. Posted: 11/20/2023 06:54:03
(Group 17)
Thanks Trey, I will answer your question first, I think that stick will take out of balance, and I wanted to paint this as simple as possible without distractions, also I think it will compete with its beak, jiji.
I don't have too many pictures of the Kingfisher, so while looking into my "collection", I say to myself, just give a try, even I have to zoom in lots. Maybe it also has help, I did paint it not zooming so much, just with a view on my monitor with the size of 8x8 inches.
And about giving more space to his beak. I think you are right. I will try it.
Thanks for all your questions. Posted: 11/19/2023 20:40:25
I don't have too many pictures of the Kingfisher, so while looking into my "collection", I say to myself, just give a try, even I have to zoom in lots. Maybe it also has help, I did paint it not zooming so much, just with a view on my monitor with the size of 8x8 inches.
And about giving more space to his beak. I think you are right. I will try it.
Thanks for all your questions. Posted: 11/19/2023 20:40:25
(Group 15)
Well done Martha. I also prefer your second attempt. By doing a 16:9 crop ratio you wii naturally increase the space in front of the bird if that is what you want to do. You have created a very nice piece of artwork from cropping in. I agree with Nancy's comment "you made the image pop".! Love your brush strokes. Posted: 11/20/2023 05:23:49
(Group 17)
Thanks Gerhard for your comments. I will give a try to your suggestion. Posted: 11/20/2023 06:58:40
(Group 86)
Being nearsighted, I likely wouldn't have noticed this far-off bird, so thanks for bringing it right up close, Martha! Your painting work eliminates all but the most important parts of the bird and its house-perch. Then your expert brushstrokes turned it into a terrific painting, with just enough detail and color. Posted: 11/30/2023 18:41:36