'Tawny Frogmouth Trio'

 Art Statement

 

The Tawny Frogmouth is a species of Frogmouth found in mainland Australia and Tasmania. Often mistaken for an owl, The Tawny Frogmouth is a nocturnal bird rather than a bird of prey as it lacks the tell-tale curved talons. Tawny Frogmouths are large, big-headed birds, stocky with rounded wings and short legs. They have wide bills (reminiscent of a frog's mouth) with a hooked tip and distinctive tufts of bristles above. Their eyes are large and yellow, a trait shared by owls, and feather patterning that mimics the bark of trees enabling an excellent camouflage. The three birds in this drawing are young siblings snuggled together for warmth. I have made the eyes a feature by rendering them in colour pencil to highlight their owl-like character. Their incredible bark-like camouflage has been rendered in detail and the birds appear to emerge out of the branch on which they sit.

- Fiona Francois -

Tawny Frogmouth Trio progress photos