Ivory Rooster 5

© Ellen Blonder

© Ellen Blonder

I packed the unfinished painting back to the mainland, saying good-bye to the rooster and hen that I saw nearly every day. I doubt they will still be there next year. All the chicks have grown remarkably during my two months in Kauai. Catch as catch can, I've done most of the rooster and begun on the surrounding foliage.

Ivory Rooster 4

© Ellen Blonder

Now that the hen is mostly done, I've added details to the chicks and started on the rooster. I'm liking how his tail feathers help frame the hen's head. 

Ivory Rooster 3

© Ellen Blonder

© Ellen Blonder

Since the hen is a big brown mass, I thought I'd better paint her in first. She looks a bit drab compared with the rooster, but her feathers are quietly beautiful.