Alex Warnick- Natural History Artist
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Wood Hen

7/28/2015

5 Comments

 
When I was young and an obsessive birder in training I traveled to a fishing lake not far from home. On the bank of the lake was a female Wood Duck with an injured wing. Up to that point I had only observed this shy species from a distance, and when I witnessed the surprising variety of colors on this close-range specimen I was fooled into thinking it was some exotic rare species that I couldn't identify in my field guide. Remembering that experience I wanted to create a painting that would introduce others to the true character of this "brown duck". They may be surprised to discover that this seemingly modest lady sports a brazen yellow eyeliner.
Picture
When the purpose of a painting is all about celebrating colors, it may seem counterproductive to choose a limited palette and nearly monochromatic color scheme.  But doing so allowed what colors there were in the feathers to remain the highlight.   I also chose to portray the duck from a sideways angle.  In avoiding a direct pose I hoped to universalize the subject matter and make it into something to be “observed”.
Picture
So there she is, the female Wood Duck as I see her.  Every bit as lovely in her own way as her strikingly-patterned male counterpart.
5 Comments
Von
8/23/2015 11:44:39 am

Hello Alex, great post here.. I honestly would not hav guessed you used a limited palette on this one..! Awesome piece.
Von

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Alex Warnick
8/23/2015 03:08:23 pm

Thanks Von! I enjoyed painting with a limited palette for this one. So much that I've gone with a limited palette for all of my paintings since.

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Herb Smith
9/1/2015 05:38:09 am

Alex,I love seeing the detail photos and getting to read a little bit of the process!!

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Alex Warnick
9/1/2015 01:22:16 pm

Thanks Herb! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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