One of the miniatures I am currently working on is of gannets and a few weeks ago there were lots of them about for several days, close in to shore so an excellent opportunity to grab some reference!
Since they move so fast, I am relying heavily on lots of videos I took as well as still photos to help me with the painting - which is a good thing as quite a few of the stills consist of nothing more than splashes in the water... Luckily I can freeze the video (which I did for the photo above) and slow it right down - this has made such a difference to understanding what is going on and the contortions they can get into as they dive.
It is great fun to watch them and while I have the videos out anyway to work from, I put some bits together to share with you, just click on it below. They are such beautiful birds and I hope you enjoy a slice of Orkney. I tried including a piece of one diving in slow motion which I hope works ok. (Your ears aren't deceiving you either - that is a blackbird you can hear amongst the cries of the terns as I was standing in the garden :)). As far as the new miniature goes, I'm still working on the composition just now but I'll post the finished painting when I'm done. Eventually.
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7 comments:
I love it! :) the whole clip made me smile, such a wonder of nature, Jules
I love gannets, I am soooo envious you can see them from your garden.
I can't wait to see your miniature.
Thank you Julia, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it too :)
Hi Gayle, they aren't a very common sight so close in and its usually only after bad weather (which admittedly we aren't short of up here!)but I agree, I think they are my favourite seabird.
love your work
great video capture
I must comment when I see gannets, as this is my own favourite topic. What wonderful birds!
Thanks so much for sharing the video, Tracy. The slow motion worked very well. They were a joy to watch!
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