A recent 5” x 7” oil study of a Ferruginous Hawk, to continue work at improving my capability in the medium. (The creative commons reference photo I used for these studies is here, by C Watts.)

Originally I wanted to use this study to improve my alla prima (wet on wet) technique, but the subject just wound up being too detailed to be suitable for that once I started! The metallic coppery paint used for the base of the painting also turned out to have a much stronger tooth than I anticipated, making for a drier feeling to the surface than I’m used to. It did, however, provide that living inner glow that I had sought to impart by using it.

You can find the original Patreon post here, which contains links to the digital sketch study, and a bit more about my process. You’ll also get first dibs at new originals; this painting sold to a patron before it was available to the public!