BIRD PARROTS Pale Headed Rosella Eastern Rosella Birds Eucalyptus Tree Butterflies Australia Parrot

"Gabby and Sophie in Eucalyptus Tree"

16x12 inches / oil on panel

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Two of Carol's girls are shown here in a Eucalyptus tree along with two different butterflies, a couple of beetles, some flower bud clusters, nuts and one spidery flower in bloom.  Gabby (top right) is a pale headed Rosella and Sophie (lower left) is an Eastern Rosella.  It was such a joy creating this painting and of particular delight was recalling some of Carol's stories of the girls being a bit tempermental with feathers flying or more adorable, how she watches bits of torn newspaper being carried into the closet during nest building!  Whenever I create a portrait I always wish I could actually meet the subjects of my paintings...but as I paint I almost feel as though I've known them!

FROM MY STUDIO . . .

A personal note...

Hi, everyone!
Just a very brief note to say that I've been swamped with orders here in my studio!  If you've been waiting to receive paintings most have been shipped, some pending varnish dry time as it's been especially humid here this week so taking a little longer, or waiting to receive images of work in progress, pics of completed paintings, or even some waiting for quotations, please be sure that I'm multi-tasking as usual albeit suddenly a little more hectic than expected! I promise to get everything done!! :o)
Best wishes,
Jeanne

in progress - sneak peek of Rosella portrait - eucalyptus foliage

WORK IN PROGRESS
Sneak peek of eucalyptus foliage at this point.  The top image shows where I'll be placing one flower which will have fine, white spidery petals, but this latest layer on the background must first be dry.  One more layer will go on the background and of course all the leaf edges and center veins will need to be done, shadows on the foliage, correct color of blushing yellow buds, detail birds' feathers, check & adjust color of leg(s), then overall evaluation and final details...then it will be done.  More shortly....

Pale Headed Rosella Parrot Bird oil painting pet portrait WORK IN PROGRESS

WORK IN PROGRESS
(larger than actual)

Gabby is shown here in progress as part of the painting including Sophie, shown below.  For this painting I am referring to numerous photos and reference material to study these gorgeous Rosellas.  The challenging part about this portrait is that there really isn't a precise photo from which I can copy; rather the entire painting including the birds and Eucalyptus tree, are all composites to varying degrees.  It's a slower process of course, but I am confident that it will be gorgeous upon completion.

Next phase in progress will feature some of the Eucalyptus tree.  I did a significant amount of research on Rosellas and their habitat as well as their food preferences, then deliberated about which specific variety of Eucalyptus I'd use and if it would be flowering or fruiting, whether the tree would be partially stripped of bark as is their habit to do.  Next post will show Eucalyptus Tereticornis.

sneak peek of Sophie - Rosella Parrot - commissioned pet portrait

WORK IN PROGRESS

(larger than actual)

Thought I'd share a sneak peek of what's currently on my easel as I've been working on this commissioned double portrait of two exquisite Rosella birds.  Shown here is Sophie on day 2 just following the initial underpainting.  Will show more current pics shortly. 

At this point I haven't yet decided if she'll be eating a berry, nut or a leaf.  I suspect it will be a torn leaf as I'd have to reposition her lower beak for a nut or berry.  Also, been reserching to decide in which variety of Eucalyptus they'll be perched, which will then influence my decision as to what Sophie will be eating.