Oystercatchers have always been my favourite – their scarlet beaks and legs glowing against the multiple blues, greens and greys of the sea. Their black and white feathers work especially well in contre-jour lighting, with enough contrast and definition to stand out against the sun.
This is one of the subjects I like to paint with the reference photograph upside down through most of the process, as I find the results are always looser and stronger. Perhaps one day I’ll be practised enough not to need this in the studio – I will just activate control over my mind’s eye and force myself not to deviate! As it is, this is currently my best bet for vibrant, atmospheric bird paintings.