Watch my process as I paint a lapwing and her chicks, from my field studies to the finished painting...
Peewit/Plover/ or Lapwing
The northern lapwing goes by many names: peewit, green plover or just lapwing. It's nest is a simple scrape in the ground filled with bits of nesting material. The chicks hatch in late spring and immediately begin to forage for themselves.
Field studies
Back in 2011, I set up a hide on a friend’s farmland to study these special birds. The research inspired a new acrylic painting and so once back in the studio I begin work on the background, creating depth with multiple layers in acrylic paint. I use lots of ochres and yellows to recreate the stubble on the field. Once the backdrop is complete, I move my painting board over to my easel.
Sketching the subject
Then I start sketching out the lapwing. The bird itself, it's eggs and two newly hatched chicks. Once the outline is complete, I begin to paint them, adding all the colours and feather details. Green plovers aren't really green, they are a wonderful iridescent colour with greens and purples and even touches of blue.
I hope you have enjoyed watching my art process, from field, to finished painting
