Rainbow Lorikeets

Rainbow Lorikeets

11 x 14
$450 with mat and frame
2008

I finished this painting today. Rainbow Lorikeets are mostly found in Australia. They are small colorful birds and there are still many of them. I used a reference photo from a photographer named Tom Friedel. He has very beautiful photographs. Check them out at Birdphotos.com. Click on the Parrot Family album to see the photo I used for this painting. When I went to Tom's site today they were labeled Coconut Lorikeets. Thank you so much Tom!

This painting took between 20 - 24 hours to paint. If I was going to do it again I would probably use a different background. The images below show how I painted it.

Step 1: I used masking fluid for the birds and their perch and painted the background

Step 2: Added a light green wash on the perching branch and leaves

Step 3: Added yellow



Step 4: Added red

Step 5: Added blue

Step 6: Added green

Step 7: Added some details

Step 8: More details

Step 9: More details, especially the feet and leaves

Step 10: Serious improvement and darkening to background.

Step 11: Lots more details to parrots and everything else