Description
‘Turnstone’ is an original drawing in coloured pencil on Mi Teintes pastel paper. I use Faber Castell Polychromos coloured pencils. These are artist quality pencils which create vivid, rich colours. The process is slow and takes many hours of work. I love the softness of coloured pencil and the control over the creative process it gives me. As a result it is a very meditative process and creates a beautiful, fine quality of image.
Firstly I work layer by layer to render these drawings of realistic birds blending many colours together over each layer and refining the overall image. I need to remain patient and persistent. The Turnstone original drawing is a type of sandpiper bird that hangs around waters. The colours and markings on this bird are vivid and strong. This particular drawing is from an image by my friend and wildlife photographer John Williams. He is living on the wonderful Isle of Bute and takes amazing wildlife photographs. He has been on BBC Springwatch too when he introduced presenter, Megan to the red squirrel family he discovered several years ago. The location of which is secret!
This is an original drawing measuring nine inches square. I draw each bird on textured pastel paper. This is a grey, acid free pastel paper with a textured look. All my original drawings have my signature. I pack each drawing between acid free mount board before posting.
Turnstones turn little stones over when foraging for food, hence the name. They have little chisel like beaks which assist them with this process and as a result Turnstones are therefore seen scurrying around rocks turning over little objects and stones to find their food.
You can also see my other seabird Cormorant drawing here .
