Since I moved into a house closer to town I've not had as big a variety of birds visiting the garden which I've missed as I used to get a lovely variety where I used to live. I've been keeping the feeders full trying to tempt them in and have had loads of sparrows, starlings, blackbirds, pigeons and magpies and I've finally started seeing some blue tits and love them all. However I knew there were also goldfinches about as we've seen and heard them flying overhead so Gary bought me some Niger seed and a Niger seed feeder and it wasn't long before they came - I saw the first one yesterday and they were in again today, gorgeous little birds they are and sure enough it was the Niger seed they were after. I haven't painted for quite a few days and thought I'd paint a goldfinch to celebrate their visit!
I painted this one
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Goldfinch
© Sharon Whitley |
and wasn't at all happy with it so I painted another looser version complete with splatters!
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Goldfinch
© Sharon Whitley |
still not overly happy but chuffed to bits that they're in the garden. I'll hopefully capture them on camera soon - in the meantime here's a couple of Gary's goldfinch pics!
Oh and before I go here's a link to Wirral Hub's blog where I've been featured as a local artist, very exciting to see myself on a posh website! It's a great website for anyone living in the North West of England with info on community events and the arts, well worth a look.... till next time fellow bloggers, take care!
This is a very pretty bird, worth depicting. You did a great job with the background on your first version, but, yes, I like the second looser version more too.
ReplyDeletethank you Blaga
DeleteSharon - Lucky you to have goldfinches in your garden. I'll have to try the niger seed trick too as I know they are about here as well. Thanks for the niger tip. As to your paintings I love them both but you know what's coming I'm sure. I love the one with the background more. I know... I'm just so predictable!!! lol
ReplyDeletedefinitely try the niger seed Laura, my little goldfinch has been coming back every day to feast on it and my daughter says she saw 3 of them at one point - oh and nothing wrong with being predictable!!
Deletewhat a beautiful bird . . . your paintings are beautiful!
ReplyDeletethank you Myra - still haven't experimented with those maps but will do for sure! Take care
DeleteI like both paintings, but my favourite is the one with the background. Congratulations on being featured!
ReplyDeletethanks Judy it's interesting hearing which painting peoople prefer, thanks for commenting Judy
DeleteQuality bird images. I'm drawn to the second one, the painterly nature of it adds an extra dimension for me.
ReplyDeletethanks Mick - I prefer the looser one and it took me a fraction of the time than the first one did!! Mind you having painted it straight after painting the first one I suppose I still had a good feel for the subject so maybe it flowed a bit better because of that I don't know
DeleteHello Sharon.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, congratulations on your Seeking Artists' winning! You so deserve it!
The paintings of these magnificent birds are gorgeous! You have patience and a good plan, plus the help of a great photographer, Niger's visit was a sure thing :)
Warm regards.
Thank you Konstantina, they are gorgeous birds and I plan to paint more birds soon as I'm starting to get a nice variety in the garden which is inspiring me to paint them - and I'm VERY lucky to have a great photographer to hand!!
DeleteStill not chuffed after painting that second one? Golly, woman, then send it here and I'll appreciate it :lol:
ReplyDeleteHaha Pat no I wasn't that happy at the time but they've grown on me a bit - I do quite like the second one now, thanks you you're comment made me laugh!
DeleteSharon, your second goldfinch painting is absolutely beautiful! What a handsome bird.
ReplyDeletethank you Kathryn x
DeleteBoth paintings are beautiful but I like the first one with the background. Congratulations for being featured.
ReplyDeletethank you Cora
DeleteBoth really good little studies Sharon, and well done for the feature in the Wirral Hub, very impressive and great exposure!!
ReplyDeletethanks Judith I love painting birds and will be doing more soon I think
DeleteExcellent paintings Sharon, both.
ReplyDeleteNyger seed is great at attracting Goldfinches, and Siskins if they're about.
Have you tried sunflower hearts in the feeders? I don't know a bird that doesn't like them. A little dearer than a 'mixed seed', but a great magnet for tits and finches.
thanks for the tip - I have put sunflower hearts out before but not since I've moved to this house a few months ago. Funny I was talking about getting some the other day, they are a bit expensive but worth it to get the birds, I know I probably won't get quite the same variety as I did where I used to live next to fields as I'm right in town now but will try my best to attract what's around!
DeleteCongratulations on your feature! I think both gold finches are lovely!
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, what a beautiful goldfinches, both paintings are gorgeous, even if my preference is for the second one. Ciao!
ReplyDelete