The Rainbow Boys
watercolor on Cowley’s veiny calfskin vellum
22″h x 17″w
I chanced upon this group of Wood Duck drakes at Sylvan Heights Bird Park – the colors and patterns were so magnificent especially multiplied by four! I knew that I would paint them on vellum to capture the glowing colors in the luminous manner that watercolor on calfskin vellum achieves. Every stroke of my brush was a pleasure and I fully enjoyed seeing each duck come to life as I worked. The finished drakes reminded me of the gussied up boy bands of the past so naturally their band name is ‘The Rainbow Boys’!