Wildlife Portraiture

1. Pelican - Audubon-Inspired Portrait Study

This piece is inspired by the naturalist style of John James Audubon, focusing on the form, colour, and character of a pelican. Through watercolour, I explored the bird’s distinctive beak shape, eye detail, and feather textures while developing a stronger understanding of avian portraiture. The close framing gives the piece a more intimate feel, allowing the focus to sit on the bird’s expression and natural structure.
Medium: Watercolour on canvas paper.

2. Dusky Grouse - Audubon Artist Copy

This study is based on Audubon’s Dusky Grouse, focusing on form, tonal contrast, and natural colour. I used the piece to explore the discipline of wildlife illustration, studying how proportion, feather detail, and controlled brushwork can create a convincing bird portrait.
Medium: Watercolour on canvas paper.

3. Hairy Woodpecker - Audubon Artist Copy

This artist copy studies Audubon’s Hairy Woodpecker, with a focus on balance, structure, and the subtle complexity of natural markings. The piece allowed me to practise controlled layering and careful brushwork while developing a stronger understanding of bird anatomy and texture.
Medium: Watercolour on canvas paper.

4. Booby Gannet - Bird Portrait Study

This bird portrait continues my exploration of Audubon-inspired wildlife illustration. I focused on the bird’s profile, beak shape, eye detail, and tonal variation, using watercolour to build a soft but detailed study of form and expression.
Medium: Watercolour on canvas paper.

5. The Eye of a Pelican - Close-Up Study

This piece focuses on a close-up view of a pelican, paying particular attention to the eye, beak, and surrounding feather textures. By narrowing the composition, I wanted to create a more intimate wildlife portrait that highlights the small details that give the bird its presence and character.
Medium: Watercolour on canvas.

6. Egyptian Eagle - Character Study

This piece explores bird portraiture through a more expressive and stylised approach. The strong facial colouring and feather structure create a sense of personality, while the controlled use of line and tone keeps the focus on form, texture, and natural detail.

7. Flamingo - Wildlife Study

This early wildlife painting studies the shape, colour, and posture of a flamingo. The piece focuses on the bird’s curved neck, layered feathers, and distinctive pink tones, helping me practise observation, colour mixing, and animal portrait composition.

8. Cheetah - Early Wildlife Study

This early animal study explores the form and markings of a cheetah through watercolour and expressive texture. I focused on the animal’s spotted pattern, head shape, and alert posture, using loose splashes and marks to create movement around the subject.

9. Crocodile - Pencil Study

This crocodile drawing focuses on structure, proportion, and texture. Through pencil shading, I studied the open jaw, teeth, scales, and reptile anatomy, using the piece to develop observational drawing skills and explore a different type of wildlife subject outside of the bird paintings.