Hyacinth Macaw

An old Nat-Geo article featuring the birdlife of the Brazilian rainforest, sat in my reference drawer for years, waiting for the day when inspiration & enthusiasm struck together. Its centrepiece, was a beautiful portrait of a Hyacinth Macaw. I’d occasionally look at it and think to myself ‘One day, I’m going to paint you!’.

When the day came (unexpected as usual), it was thanks to a decision to experiment with acrylics on paper. Usually I would choose a gesso’d canvas, but sometimes you have to mix things up! To get the white flecks in his feathers and the textures in his beak, I added a pastel layer over the acrylic base. The paper’s finer grain allowed a greater level of detail than canvas and the results were delightful. This cheeky Hyacinth Macaw has been delighting and charming admirers ever since!

  • Prints

    I use either archival Fine-Art paper or Hahnemuhle cotton canvas (Rolled & UnStretched). They come in a few sizes:  Mini: An Open Edition, that’s hand-monogrammed on the Matte.  Small: As for Mini.   Standard: Ready-mounted & signed in an edition of #95.   Larger: Un-Mounted & signed. Strictly printed-to-order.  Frames shown for illustrative purposes only.

Showing all 3 results