The Bird Studies

The bird studies are based upon several sources, including photographs, sightings and skins in the National Museum of Sri Lanka and the Department of Zoology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Skins and live specimens are examined and pencil-sketched, at least one preliminary study being coloured for each painting.  Particular attention is paid to the relative proportions of the bird, and its attitude construed from photographs and field observations.  The background of each painting represents an actual habitat in which the bird has been seen, and the vegetation illustrated is that associated with the species in this habitat.

The Snake Studies

The snake studies presented here are the outcome of over ten years of observation and work, conducted during leisure time.  Each study depicts a snake in one of its characteristic postures in a representative microhabitat, and features the snake's natural colours, intricate patterns and scalation.

Before drawing the preliminary sketches, the snake was placed for a time in a large glass tank on a bed of leaf litter, allowing it to hide and relax.  Once settled, the snake was carefully observed and its different postures were sketched.  Finally, the sketch depicting the posture best revealing its characteristic features was selected for eventual detailed drawing and painting.

As might be expected, preparing such studies raised certain difficulties.  Apart from obtaining live specimens from their natural habitat, there is the problem of providing an acceptable living environment for the snakes while being studied.  In particular, snakes collected from the colder parts of Sri Lanka found it uncomfortable to adjust to the heat of Colombo.

The backgrounds of the drawings were carefully prepared to reveal the intricacies of camouflage of the snake's habitat, while the vegetation illustrated is that associated with the species in its habitat.  To accomplish this, plant specimens were collected from the place where the snakes were collected, and were preserved to ensure accurate depiction.  In addition, some backgrounds were sketched in the field at the spot where the snake was found.

Technical Note

The paintings are prepared on matte white or pale cream acid-free artist's board, typically 300 gsm Winsor & Newton Cotman, sheet size 20" x 16" (508 x 406 mm).  The studies are drafted initially in B, 2B and 4B pencil, with the subjects painted in acrylic and watercolours (by Winsor & Newton and Pebeo) with the backgrounds in watercolours, using nylon brushes numbers 00, 0, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10.  With all the preparatory material in hand, each painting represents ten to fifteen days' work.

The size of each original painting is shown in the bottom right-hand corner of its web page.  The dimensions given show the size of the painted image (width x height).  The borders are typically 2-4" (50-100 mm) all round, and are not shown in the web picture.