My first Falcon

[grinnen30]

Let me know what you think...This is my first multi-hour picture...most of my other stuff has been things I can paint in about 30-45 minutes...I am thinking the background has got to change, but I wanted something contrasting...and this color definitely does that...

Thanks
Ike

Edit made to add photo...oops

[grinnen30]

So, I really didn't like the background...so I changed it...like this much better now...filled in the feathers, touched up the beak...have some areas to touch up...trying to figure out how to do the glove...Looking forward to your comments...

Also, this motivated me A LOT...made the jump and I am now a magazine subscriber!!! YEAH!!!

[mayhem]

looks like its commin along well !! cant wait to see it done

[AirTodd]

It's looking good.Keep us posted.

[fresnojohns]

Looks very nice! I like the feathers. How did you do that?
A great subject to airbrush too!
Fresnojohns

[grinnen30]

The feathers is a combination of a mask using press-n-seal and shields. I drew my notional outlines with a marker, spent about 30 minutes cutting the feathers (but not removing the mask)...I started on the bottom and worked my way up the body...To get the tips I built five different sized shields to get the tips...in many of the feathers, I place a "quill" down the center, but it is very faint...

the further I got along, the better they got, but I wish I had the skill to make them a little more detailed...either way...I am ECSTATIC with the overall results...

The subjects name is aurora...she is the Air Force Academy mascot...gorgeous bird...princess of an attitude...

[grinnen30]

Here are a couple of photos of the ol' girl...sure do miss her...haven't seen her in like 6 years...

[fresnojohns]

Grinnen,
You did a beautiful job. Had to keep going back and checking it out.
Thank you for the information. Another way I do small feathers is to get
electical wire and strip it and flare out some of the wire and spray through it too. Also a paint brush and put it on its heel and flare it out and spray it.
It may take alot of time doing the wire thing. I am working on a small eagle head now.
Keep it up, can't wait for your next one!
Fresnojohns

[grinnen30]

Okay...I finished it!!! Here is the final product...already got it framed and hung...YEAH!!! (this makes all the money I have spent so worth it) (sniff...sniff)

[Vicar]

This looks pretty good grin. I always feel at peace when a paint comes to an end with good results.

BTW fresno, good tip on the paintbrush mate.

[vilner]

You did a good job in your rendering of the falcon. The finished background looks much better than the first one. I see you used a hard mask for the body of the bird, try using a loose mask for the body as it will give a softer edge to your subject and look more natural. Nice job on the feathers.
John

[grinnen30]

Thanks all for the comments and suggestions...I will definitely keep all of this in mind...I am still in the VERY beginning learning phase...literally had the brush a month and a half...and had to take a three week break due to other obligations...May try another photo of her or one of the other falcons in a couple of weeks...I have some ideas for my bike I want to work on first (since its just cold enough to justify taking the bike down so I can paint on it)

Also, reading the articles over the last couple of days has given me some great insight into areas that I can improve...basically...everything

Also, Vilner - is that a goshawk? When they mantle (spread wings and puff up for defense or feeding), it is hard to tell...

[RumbleRoads]

“grinnen30” , You have only been doing Airbrushing for three weeks, wow, You are very talented and I look forward to seeing your work progress as you gain experience. Due to work oblations and all the biker rallies/ good riding weather I have had to put on hold my airbrush practice. But now that things are slowing down at work and oldman winter is closing in I have more free time and started spraying paint again. Still working on the basics at Airbrushing. I have always painted with oils but excited about airbrushing because it is so diverse in so many areas and a very amazing tool to create with as well as a new skill to enjoy learning. Artist on this forum, like you, are very inspirational.

[Ispray]

The old girl came out real nice, Glad you took the time to get her right and not give up on the project. Thanks for sharing

[vilner]

grinnen30, I forget what kind of hawk I painted, that picture was done many years ago around 1989 in pencil with acrylic glazes over the pencil for color.
John