Finished bluebird, but not finished composition

Here the orange is getting a lighter coat. Next
the white is lightened and a few details are added
Finally some touches of iridescent paint to bring
the feathers to life.

This is a comparison of the finished bird with the reference that both the customer and I thought was the best photo we could find. I used many other references, but this was the main one.

This back biew of the bird still looks dark, but the light is deceiving. Once he got into the sunlight his feathers really shined.













He thinks he looks mighty handsome- he is even thinking about finding a mate- if only he can get out of the studio. . .
So I took him out for a little sunshine and before I knew what was happening he flew right out of my hand and started to explore the back yard.
This grasshopper thought the bluebird was interesting- but then the bluebird got hungry-
lunchtime!


He checked out the yellow flowers. . .



. . . and then the orange blooms caught his eye. He likes the way they match his breast.










Oh oh- he has spotted a likely cedar fencepost that he thinks will make a great place to raise a family. It has a hole in it that was made
by a woodpecker. Now to find
a bride who will lay some eggs
in the hole- then we will
have babies to feed.
Hmmm- lets see, bugs, insects,
worms, larvae, and catepillars
will have to be brought to the
baby birds. That will be a tough
job, but he is up for it.