I'm working on a series of paintings which require stylized animals in the scenes.
I have photos from zoos allover the world through my travels with the museum, but the lighting always seems to be wrong when I composite these photos into my reference. I always need living models too, but making a paper mache human would be taking things too far! Here's some process shots of making a parrot for a painting about "taste".
Building the claws with wire and tape...
gesso...
paint, Viol-a!