Dr Megan Spiers

Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda)

inspiration

Star Finches are absolutely gorgeous. This female is a bit bedraggled from splashing around in a shallow pool.

For greater accuracy, I combine birdwatching with visits to wildlife parks and zoos which are a substantial source of visual reference.

This small painting was shown in my solo exhibition “Each Bird, Every Song” at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney NSW in November 2009.

artist’s process

• I applied paint swiftly to give an impression of movement
• water has opposing qualities of reflection and transparency so your palette needs light and dark tones
• shadows enhance transparency effect unless falling on muddy water, like the Darling River in New South Wales
• the challenge is to avoid painting what you think is there and only paint what is there