Common Swift
I have been steadily ploughing through the commission/request pieces, but in between dog paintings I wanted to create this gouache and pencil head portrait of a Common Swift. I had kindly been given permission from friend Ben Andrews to use his photograph which grabbed my attention as soon as I saw it, emerging from the darkness it had a surreal look to it, and being one of my favourite species I couldn't resist.
I had finished two pieces of work, both dogs, one before the swift and one after, but as they were for surprise presents I have not been able to put up the images. I am presently 3/4 of the way through a dog commission piece and this time I have used just coloured pencil, I may use some fine detailing using gouache near completion but it will be nearly all pencil which has been a nice change, image to appear as soon as it's finished.
