I was fortunate to have the opportunity to take a photo of this beautiful Falcon/Gyr. The handler kindly lifted him up so I could get a better shot. My photography skills are basic and the beak blurred in the photograph, this turned into a hoppy accident as I feel the blur adds to the 3D effect.
I deliberately left the background until last as I wanted to see if it would be better without one. It was a hard decision, he looked impressive and I was concerned about ruining him with an overpowering background. I tested out a few ideas using photoshop and decided on a softly blended summer sky. I completed the sky using PanPastels and feel that the sky has helped push him further forward and stopped the piece from looking too cold and clinical. He definitely is lord of all he surveys.
I have called this piece 'August', It was completed on the 1st of August and I think the meaning of the word describes him perfectly.
August - without and with Sky
PanPastels used for sky
On Strathmore Bristol Vellum 400 Series
16"x20"
My own photo references
Limited Edition Prints of both versions are available, see the
For Sale section for details.