Swan and duck conversation

Swan and duck conversation

This is an oil painting,size 20"x16", of swans and a Mallard duck, done around January 2011. It is at the Quay at Christchurch,UK. I tend to paint the water in last when painting subjects like this. The reflections can be sometime very difficult to plan, though this one was not to bad. But once the water and reflections are in place the painting comes to life! Interestingly the water is almost black.

from the website...
Christchurch Harbour, in the UK has a popular tourist spot where people gather to look at the boats and the many Swans and ducks that live in the area, and expect to be fed. The composition is based on a number of photographs. Originally there was a small boy and mother standing where the duck is, but I thought the painting would be more entertaining if the birds were having their own conversation. The group of swans were taken again from a number of photographs taken at the same location, but heavily rearranged to provide a happy composition for the final painting. The 'black' water makes a nice contrast to the bright whites of the swans.
The artwork was created in late 2010, in oil paint on a 16" x 20" canvas.