Under my wing

[Ellis Ammons]

These little guys and gals were basking in the sun half asleep down by the bay. They let me get close for some good reference photos. Know as skimmers, they skim the top of the water with just their beaks breaking the surface until they hit a fish and go down with a big splash

18x18 oil on birch. 2 layers.. and the paint is still wet so a little glare

thanks for looks c&c welcome

[ianuk]

I love birds and I love this, it's a gorgeous painting.

[Seaside Artist]

Hello Ellis,

This is one of your best paintings you have posted. The details are superb and very lifelike.

There are two things that I offer as a suggestion. C&C
1. The bird's legs appear rushed and unfinished, somewhat flat. Given the other details you have accomplished here, there is no doubt that you can add to shape, shadows and some curves on the legs. Details and a little shadow to the sand under them will also help.

2. Signatures are absolutely important on our work. When I began painting I didn't realize that my signature was distracting from my work...the first thing that judges, professors, art instructors, gallery owners and those interested in buying my work pointed out to me.
My signature was too close to my primary subject...too centered. I used
a corner frame sample to help figure out just the right location that would not be covered with a frame if I or the customer framed the painting. The size of your signature is perfect. You have certainly grown as an artist since your first post here! Wishing you the best in painting.

[stapeliad]

I like this very much.

[AllisonR]

Very interesting birds. I like the earthy browns next to the more vibrant blues. The wing on the blue one looks a bit awkward, I can't figure out if the wing is white and behind the blue feathers, or if the wing is half white and half blue.

[carolkay]

Interesting birds and a wonderful portrayal of them !

[Ellis Ammons]

Thank you all for enjoying and criticizing my work.

The wings and feet I left abstract on purpose. I wasn't going for hyperrealism and the reference wouldn't really allow for it. I only spent about 15 hours on the peice. It looks maybe even a little more detailed than the reference from about 5 feet away.

Anyway I'll live with it for a few weeks and if something really bugs me I'll go back in. It's rare I end up thinking something like tiny details need to be fixed though.

[Dcam]

Hey.....Ellis......Outstanding.

[Lon Reams]

I like it! Gorgeous colors throughout. Good composition and the texture on the white breast feathers is outstanding in the nearest bird.

I agree with seaside about signatures, although yours doesn't distract too much.

But I can't talk!! I can't sign my name on a work at all! Believe it or not I have MS and my signature turns out way too sloppy to read. (Because my hands don't seem to want to flow smoothly enough to produce decent script.)

So I just use my little LR logo that you can see pretty clearly to the low left of the wolf painting I posted. Lol oddly I can achieve fine detail when painting, but not when writing! Eh, I'll take painting over writing any day. 😀

I do date and do a proper, if sloppy signature in ink on the back of each of my pieces though.

[123harry]

Nice rendering of the feathers in particular. Unusual birds but a good subject.

[Ellis Ammons]

Thank you, Ianuk, Angel, Jessica, Allison, Carol, Derek, Lon, and Harry. Alot of exceptional talent here and I'm honored you all enjoy my work.

[Docpro]

Extraordinary! I very love this 'majesty'!
Utmost blessings!