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Published: 2012-06-29 11:16:35 +0000 UTC; Views: 176392; Favourites: 1793; Downloads: 0
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Description
Tickle BirdΒ©2012, 29" by 20", Watercolour
The idea for this painting, of an osprey pulling a fish up out of the water, came from a discussion I was having with a photographer a while back about how much she really wanted to get a picture of an osprey fishing, but every one that she'd taken was blurry because - with all of the splashing water - her auto-focus couldn't figure out what to focus on. I looked at this as a challenge, and set out to create an image of a fishing osprey that would be posed just right, and would of course be perfectly in focus.
This unusual name for the painting owes itself to a game that I play with my two-and-a-half year old twins. When I'm changing their shirts, I ask them to put their arms up in the air so that I can pull their tops off over their head. Of course, as I do it, I always take the opportunity to tickle them under the arms, and they giggle happily. Anyhow, when I was partway finished this painting (I had the osprey and the fish done, and was just about to start the background), my son Daniel looked at it and recognized the pose, as it was the same one that he was always asked to assume when I changed his shirt, so he pointed at the painting and said "Tickle Bird". The net result is that changing their shirts has become a lot more difficult now because, when they put their arms up in the air, they start flapping them like a bird would.
This painting is also a testament to the usefulness of social media for collaboration. When I was first planning it, I sent a request out to my Facebook friends looking for pictures of a fishing osprey to work from. I'm always amazed at the talents that people have that they keep hidden - it turns out that I have several friends who are also great photographers. This painting is based on roughly a half dozen different photographic images, as well as some elements directly from my imagination. Thanks so much to everyone who helped me out, as well as those who encouraged me along the way as I posted progress shots online.
A step by step description of how I created this painting can be found here: [link] .
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Comments: 420
THE-JADED-CREATOR [2014-09-28 03:58:51 +0000 UTC]
This is amazing!! From the thumbnail I thought this was a photograph. Really really amazing!Β
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Amber-Lupin [2014-06-09 16:55:56 +0000 UTC]
That water is amazing! I had to click on this because I thought at first the water was photoshopped on there Great work!
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AtlasMystica [2014-01-22 23:41:32 +0000 UTC]
That's got to be one of the most astonishing watercolors I've ever seen. I had to click on it in my search results to make sure it wasn't mislabeled. WOW.
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dwaynerjames In reply to AtlasMystica [2014-01-26 17:40:15 +0000 UTC]
Thanks so much. That's high praise coming from you - I love your work!!
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Tryskacik [2013-11-10 09:17:33 +0000 UTC]
Your works are beautiful. Thumbs up for that water!
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dwaynerjames In reply to Tryskacik [2013-11-10 23:18:12 +0000 UTC]
Thumbs up for your lovely compliment!
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tofuka [2013-11-03 18:37:33 +0000 UTC]
This is the most beautiful watercolour painting I've ever seen. You are incredibly talented! Thank you!
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wolfwings1 [2013-10-18 07:43:26 +0000 UTC]
I love this one...but am I the only one that thinks the 1/2 look seems like a anthro? :>Β The trout always makes me think of legs bending :>
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LadyCorvidaea [2013-10-17 13:57:07 +0000 UTC]
This is beautiful! I thought it was a photograph!
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CailinGore [2013-10-04 04:26:48 +0000 UTC]
Wow, just wow
Very realistic It must've been so hard to get the water and all those drops just right! Very well worth it
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Wraithldr [2013-07-15 22:29:03 +0000 UTC]
Oh man. Would it be alright if I referenced this pose? Or, if you used one, would you be able to direct me to it?
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namu-the-orca [2013-07-06 16:26:27 +0000 UTC]
Absolutely stunner of a piece! So much detail and such uncanny realism Your work on the water splash is just wow; I still think splashes are one of the hardest things to colour and you did great here. I also love the way you drew the wings and feathers; spot on with markings and shape, but not too much loaded with unnecessary details. Tot op it off you nailed that 'cold' killer stare Ospreys and actually most raptors share. Amazing!
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Eellah [2012-11-03 14:29:09 +0000 UTC]
Hello there !
This beautiful piece of art is featured inΒ Birds and Feathers...Features. ! Thanks for reading and I hope you
it to know you have seen it !Β
Goodbye and have a good day sweetie !
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of-the-skies [2012-10-07 22:56:00 +0000 UTC]
0.0
The water...
I thought it was digitally drawn at first...
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SkyhawkC [2012-09-23 15:56:12 +0000 UTC]
This is...I can't...So amazing......aah....no words to describe....
Congrats on the DD, this totally deserves it.
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saskia28 [2012-09-15 18:06:31 +0000 UTC]
this is amazing! i tried to make something like this too. it worked out pretty well. but i don't place it on deviantart. that wouldn't be fair.
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mydigitalmind [2012-08-01 14:06:38 +0000 UTC]
Hello Your work has been featured as one of #Birds-Club 's top art submissions for the month of July. You can find the article which also contains other beautiful bird art here: [link]
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dwaynerjames In reply to LittleGirl2204 [2012-07-26 13:00:13 +0000 UTC]
Thanks so much!
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ArtBYbeverly [2012-07-19 22:58:16 +0000 UTC]
Congrats on the DD, It's well deserved...this is amazing watercolor work!
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dwaynerjames In reply to ArtBYbeverly [2012-07-26 13:00:29 +0000 UTC]
Thanks so much - this is much appreciated!
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keksimtee [2012-07-17 19:55:15 +0000 UTC]
Youre work is fantastic, so realistic, how you've drawn the water is amazing.
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Cittyy [2012-07-17 09:43:06 +0000 UTC]
;__; How have you possible do so realistic water with traditional style.
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dwaynerjames In reply to Cittyy [2012-07-17 11:06:05 +0000 UTC]
Thanks!
I have a step by step tutorial that describes how I created this painting that talks about this a little bit ([link] ). Basically, I paint the details of the water, and then put a white translucent wash over the whole thing to smooth it, and give it that fluid look.
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Cittyy In reply to dwaynerjames [2012-07-17 16:06:53 +0000 UTC]
I watched it but still i dont get it.
Your really have great talent
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dwaynerjames In reply to Cittyy [2012-07-17 16:38:22 +0000 UTC]
It's mostly trial and error
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EmptyShadow [2012-07-16 12:32:42 +0000 UTC]
The water looked so realistic I was for a bit confused whether this was a painting or a photo. Regardless, this is such a nice action
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dwaynerjames In reply to EmptyShadow [2012-07-16 14:44:47 +0000 UTC]
Thanks for the compliment!
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RogueofAsgard [2012-07-14 19:00:47 +0000 UTC]
i actually thought this was a photo... dear lord thats beautiful.
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dwaynerjames In reply to RogueofAsgard [2012-07-16 14:44:58 +0000 UTC]
Much appreciated!
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TheCrowling [2012-07-14 16:20:24 +0000 UTC]
I recognise this shot! you have such an eye! such talent is this oils? how big is it? i wish i could see it in real life
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