First Spira figure painted. It is a gift for my dad. He likes dwarves. He likes copper. He also likes feeding the scrub jays (a common blue bird in northern California). The jays really love peanuts. They will fly to his hand for a whole peanut. They trained him to come to the porch to feed them. They sit politely but insistently.

So I sacrificed standard artistic composition for the sake of a little story-telling on the shield. Good free-hand practice at least! The story is of how a peanut grows, becomes a delicious morsel, ends up on a porch, and in the bird's mouth. Scrub jays are corvids, so although the beak shape on the sculpted bird isn't an exact match, I rolled with it. Most of these are painted black as crows or ravens, so I have a fat jay instead!

Welcome to cheerful discussion and critique.

  • Štěpán Tichý

    I really like your intentions behind the bust. The story of the gift is inspiring and brings this warmth and happiness to the whole piece. I think the standout is the free hand on the shield. Also it makes the figure quite unique. Lovely paint job!

    • Rhiana, "Cyradis"

      Thanks! The freehand was fun, and certainly non-standard for the figure.

  • girlpainter57

    he will adore it , gold

    • Rhiana, "Cyradis"

      I think so! He’s the one who got me started painting as a kid - he’ll get it displayed well :)

  • Steph.DPLUS

    Très beau travail, Or

  • Chris "Thor"

    A really thoughtful gift :)

    • Rhiana, "Cyradis"

      Painting as gifts is quite satisfying. I think he’ll like it :D

  • Arrow_Paint

    Gold!