Waterbirds in the landscape Week 6: Coots and Moorhens

This week we have moved back to birds that definitely spend very little time flying, the coots and moorhens. Both inhabit similar riverbank situations nesting among reeds and waterlilies, however the coot prefers more open areas of water then the moorhen. Coots are the birds with a white oval shield which extends from the pale beak to the forehead. They have large feet with pale grey lobes rather than webbed feet like ducks and geese.

Try painting this bird either relatively close up with its reflection or as part of the wider landscape. Alternatively you may like the challenge of painting a coot on its nest among a calligraphic pattern of reeds; the pale straw colour of the dead leaves used for the nest contrasting with the green of the live leaves.

The Moorhen is also black but with a red and yellow beak, white under-tail coverts and some white wing feathers; see below.

This week make a painting that is as much about the habitat of one of these birds as about the bird itself. We’ll discuss this during the session.

Your paintings;