On the Watchtower ~ A Birdseye View!
Ever since I photographed this Brown Pelican I’ve been wanting to paint him. It was a fairly overcast day, and in order to get the proper exposure on the pelican I intentionally lightened my settings. The cloudy day became a bright day and the pelican’s feathers were highlighted by the white background. Standing tall atop the rigging of an old shrimp boat this magnificent bird looked out over Shem Creek, taking it all in.
Shem Creek is a happening place. Shrimpers dock their boats there at the end of a long day out on the bay. Fishermen return with their catch and clean their fish along the docks. Brown Pelicans love to follow the boats back to port looking for any opportunity to get a free handout from the fishermen. Sometimes there are many pelicans all vying for the same fish and it can get quite chaotic. Feeding frenzies lead to pelicans getting really rough with each other, even though they are known to be quite communal and friendly toward one another.
Once the pelicans have either had their fill or the possibility of a free handout is over, they often seek a place to rest up for their next flight. Usually they have a favorite spot like on top of a shrimp boat or on top of a piling.
The Brown Pelican in my latest painting On the Watchtower makes me think of a proud Indian chief looking out over his tribe’s land. He is a warrior of sorts, always fighting the elements, living off the sea, and earning his feathers.
On the Watchtower by William R. Beebe, 40 x 30, Oil on canvas, $10,000
With his wings slightly displayed, his array of feathers became an impressive part of his proud pose. I used both a brush and a palette knife to create the feathers. First, I defined the feathers using a brush and then I went back over each feather with a palette knife, adding texture and variations of color. The palette knife helped me create the painterly look that I wanted to achieve in this painting.
On the Watchtower by William R. Beebe, feather detail
The background is a creamy white, also applied with a palette knife for texture. My motivation to create more texture in this painting was prompted by the weathered paint and rusted metal of the shrimp boat rigging.
On the Watchtower by William R. Beebe, rigging detail
I have an affinity for Brown Pelicans. They have many different looks due to molting of feathers. This particular pelican is a mature bird and his rufous brown neck indicates that he is in partial breeding plumage. Juveniles are a light overall brown. Mature, non-breeding adults have a white neck with a yellow head.
On the Watchtower by William R. Beebe, head detail
I find some pelicans friendly looking and approachable. Others look quite devilish and mischievous. They are all characters and I like that. Their character shows up in their faces and I enjoy capturing their likeness.
On the Watchtower is painted on a heavy-duty canvas and will be framed in a white floater frame.
I’m planning on making 2022 the year of the Brown Pelican. I find it is one of my favorite birds to paint (along with the Great Blue Heron).
Thank you for reading my journal and for your interest in my art! Please check back soon to see what’s next on my easel!
“One of the joys of being an artist is having the freedom to follow my passion….”
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Drawing by William R. Beebe