Drawing and Painting Birds

Birds are much admired, revered and envied. They have featured in art for many thousands of years and our fascination with them continues. They do though pose a challenge to paint and are not always the most cooperative of models. By understanding their anatomy and recognising their type, the artist can learn a shorthand way to capture movement and attitude. With technique and colour mastered, style develops and a special scene can be captured uniquely forever. ? Explains bird types and how identifying specific similarities can help the artist ? Advises on painting in the field, using photographs and working in the studio ? Describes how to paint plumage and birds in flight ? Demonstrates how to compose a painting with emphasis on the birds' habitat ? Gives insights into painting birds from 30 leading artists, as well as illustrations of their work, including John Busby, Robert Bateman and Charles Tuncliffe AUTHOR Tim Wootton has been watching and drawing birds since childhood. He now lives in the Orkney Islands where he works directly from observational drawings in the field, usually painting and completing the piece in the studio. His work has been exhibited across Britain and is held in private collections throughout the world. In 2008 he was awarded a gold medal from Wildscape Magazine's Wildlife Artist of the Year. SELLING POINTS ? Birds have featured in art for many thousands of years ? They do pose a challenge and this practical book explains in detail how to go about drawing and painting birds ? Tutored groups and individual artists ? Gives insights into painting birds from 30 leading artists ? Beautifully illustrated with 423 colour illustrations ? Tim Wootton is a lifelong bird watcher and artist and recently was awarded a gold medal as Wildscape Magazine's Wildlife Artist of the Year