tawny frogmouths miniature painting

Tawny Frogmouths © Tracy Hall 2011

2" x 2" watercolour on board

I've been trying to ease myself back into miniatures after far too long an absence, and finished the painting of Tawny Frogmouths (above). I thought they were rather endearing birds, the chicks looked like little balls of fluff snuggled up to their mother in the afternoon sun and then they open their enormous eyes. They are native to Australia and nocturnal, using their huge mouths to catch prey that wanders past and they also mate for life. This family however live at London Zoo.

I've also been having a go at a portrait in miniature and this is where I got to with a tentative attempt at a good friend of ours, Jim, when he came to stay recently. Very much a work in progress and it remains to be seen if I actually finish it! But either way, I've already learned a lot so it has been fun to try something new. I have so far concluded that people are extremely hard to paint. The margin for error (or correction) in a miniature watercolour portrait is pretty much zero from what I could tell, which just makes me appreciate even more the skills of those who can do it.

In Progress - Jim © Tracy Hall 2011

3.5" x 2.5" Watercolour on board

Don't forget if you are in London to go along to the Royal Miniature Society exhibition at the Mall Galleries to see some outstanding miniature portraits (amongst other subjects!) - every day until Sunday 23rd October, with daily demonstrations and the chance to see the Royal Portrait Miniature Collection on loan.

Update: Do have a look at Katherine Tyrrell's article on Making a Mark today which features miniature artist Jenny Brooks and information about supplies : How to Paint Miniature Portraits.