Minime

Well folks...at long last its all over! SAT's are done (awaiting the results), and although it is difficult to predict how things have gone, the boss said she was really pleased with what the children were putting on paper so here's hoping! My year group and I got back from Germany this morning at 3am. I got tied up in Calais with the French strike action that is going on over there at the moment, and although we had to wait for three hours in the port, the kids enjoyed the trip (all 39 of them!). I am totally exhausted now (took 22 hours to get from Boppard to Liverpool). I got home to more chicks hatching in the incubators, and the ones I have been growing on are doing well (thanks to a little help from my friends whilst I was away). My ferret kits are also growing strong. I now have two weeks of work for the half term holidays, so I am looking forward to the rest. If I get time, I may start a new drawing (although I dont normally draw at this time of the year - its usually a dark nights kind of thing for me). I am also still waiting to here from the printer about the African Grey print from the printer (but things seem to be moving forward a little quicker now). So, I will keep you all posted and hopefully it will not be too long before I can start sending them out to those who have ordered one. Cheers all. Ian

Hi all. I have just spent the day (part of it strapped to a plastic board) in Stafford General hospital. Some idiot rear-ended my car as I was stopped, indicating right to turn into Stafford County show ground. Baby Billy has cuts to his head and torso (she hit us hard enough to right off the mini, imploding the rear left side window into him). He was fully clothed and yet the glass was all over his stomach! Scarriest thing that has ever happened to me. My wife Michelle and I are now very shaken (and sore) from the collision. So, be aware. Turning right into Staffords 'Bingley hall' should be done with caution and care. I had been pulled up ready to turn long tnough for an articulated lorry and several (five or six) other fmaily cars to pass me going the other way, when she hit is from behind. I staggered out of the car (from shock more than anything), and asked her 'what the f~~~ing hell she was doing?' Her rely......'I did'nt see you. ' She had at least twenty seconds in which she could have taken note of the bright blue mini with its brake lights on in front of her. It makes me wonder where her mobile phone may have been at the time. I had to go to the recovery yard after the hospital and took these...

Hi all. I have looked at the polls across the forums today, and it is very close...definately A - printed out and ready to go. And then...between 1 and 3. I printed out both and when put together with photo A, I have come to the conclusion that it needs to be number 2. the reason is, number 3 clashes with A as the heads are in such similar positions (even when I flip them bothon themselves and jog them around a bit). So, next drawing is Green wingg macaws pictures A and 2. with A flipped so it faces the other way. I was going to post them up here together to give you some idea, but it doen't real make much difference as they will be postioned on the page in another way anyway. I will get going over the next couple days and keep you posted. Thanks again for your help in picking the subjects, and dont forget MiniMe modeling agency is always looking for new talent should you wish to offer your services (well, actually your birds services, but you never know 8O ). Cheers. Ian

This is it...its all done. I finished the trunk and worked the branch they are sitting on today, then spent an hour cleaning up the white (eraser EVERYWHERE!). Total time 29 hours. Next is the Green Wing Macaws, but I may stick a sly little one in between I am thinking of. Will of course, keep you all posted. So, its off to Manchester next to have it scanned, then over to Pickering to have the digital file colour adjusted and then finally printed. For those who have pre-ordered this print, I will have a far better idea of prices in a week or two, but I am offering it in two sizes. A2 - the original size, and A3 - half size (for smaller homes/walls), and so it will be two prices. The prices given from orders I get from the forum will be different from the prices quoted to anyone buying from other sources (printers/ebay etc) when I eventually sort out how the best way to move the prints. You will of course get the better price here. I am not greedy folks, I am gaining far more from the fact that you lot like this enough to put in on your walls! Any profit will go towards further developments in my art work. Cheers. Ian So......here you go... ..........Shades of Grey......... <br><br>Post edited by: Minime, at: 2008/02/29 21:11

Possibly a chestnut eared aracari? The only thing putting my off this is the colouring behind the eye and the vivid yellow on the upper mandabill. In fact I would go as far as saying it may well be chestnut eared that has had a little play in photoshop? Post edited by: Minime, at: 2008/02/25 18:38<br><br>Post edited by: Minime, at: 2008/02/25 18:40

although it could also be an aracari

First bird is a Splendid (or scarlet chested) parakeet, the second is a toucanet - but not sure which one just yet...

O.K. I am really taken with the idea of Green wing Macaws for my next drawing. I am not absolutely certain, I did think about Galah for a while, BUT, I am not entirely happy with the reference shots I have for that species. I am kind of hoping I can add to what I have in next couple of weeks. Whilst I am waiting, I think I may start GWM. If I am honest, I think the Macaws are one of my favourite parrot likes, so really fancy giving them a go... So...here are my reference shots. I can flip all these on the vetical so each can face either way. I will think about that once this bit is done. Here goes then... A)... B)... C)... 1)... 2)... 3)... O.K. I would have posted a poll above but not sure how it is done in this forum, so for now...pick ONE letter nad ONE number. Cheers. Ian...hope I have not made things confusing.

many thanks for all your kind words folks, and sorry so long since last update....THIS IS A KILLER...always is at the last stages. I have the trunk of the tree to do to finish the actual drawing. Then I will clean it using a combination of blu-tac and eraser. After which its of to be scanned and printed up...My problem is Billy is teething and full of cold, so I am tied up and tired. Will do my best to finish by the weekend....then, I think it going to be either Galah or Greenwing macaw...

well done Lisa...correct...mammals tomorrow me thinks!

european....

Very well done Lisa. WFA is correct. That was quick. And as you are in USA (I think), and these birds are in U.K. I can't expect you to get location.

What species... I will be very impressed if anyone gets it...any twitchers out there? good luck. p.s. this image was not taken by myself, but my good friend Andy Harmer. www.andyharmer.com

Right then...about this one...what species... and the bonus point is...where did I take the photo?

Well done those who said Red Tailed...this bird lives in Chester Zoo. If I remember right, it lives with the Blue throated macaws. Its in there, or the aviary next door. Cheers...I have lots more if you would like another challenge...

Hi all, just scrolling through the gazzillions of images I have stored on my external hard drive (oo-er missus), and thought I might give you a little test....Guess the species...

This is not African Grey, but seen as there are a few other non CAG and TAG images in this thread, I thought you might like to see them (and guess the species!).. http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc111/wiley198/parrots/BTmacaw1a07cropArleenie.jpg[/img] http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc111/wiley198/parrots/bgdropweb.jpg[/img] http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc111/wiley198/parrots/dropshadow.jpg[/img] Cheers. Ian.<br><br>Post edited by: TalonSis, at: 2009/07/30 03:12

TalonSis wrote: I used a Canon EOS 5D with a 70-200mm L Image stabilised lens and a dedicated flash for this...then once downloaded played with it in a program I have called zoombrowser, then took it into photoshop cs3 to tweak and re-size for the web. :blink: BUT...if you are really keen on photography, and live within visiting distance to the NEC Birmingham, I could recommend an incredible day out for you. Every year, there is a exhibition/show/traders/type event in February called 'Focus on imaging.' Although parking is a pain it is normally only £6 to get in to the event and it has everything you could possibly wish for and more. Especially if you are looking for a camera upgrade! Prices are slashed for the event and competition between traders is fierce. So...if you are into or even thinking of being into photography a bit more, and want to get LOADS and LOADS of tips and info then get yourself to the event. NEXT WEEKEND...I have not slept since xmas! :huh: http://www.focus-on-imaging.co.uk/ Cheers. Ian. I am going on the Sunday. You will recognise me, I am the little man who is getting crushed in the crowd...:blush:

Just been to photograph this magnificent bird. I am going to busy! :blink:

ditto. erm...cough.cough. sorry. erm.

I fell in love with the idea of black paper today...guess why? and OMG.... These are defo on my list of to-do's... I know these are not Greys, but they are beautiful and I thought you may like to see them. Sorry if they are out of context and need to be removed. Cheers. Ian

O.k. So, I visited some friends today... I love these little things...I am going to get Forshaws out in a bit and find out how many different sub-species there are. I have Yellow thighed, and I know about Green thighed and Black headed (and if anyone wants to offer me the chance at reference shots at those I would be really greatful). I fancy doing a drawing of all the sub-species on one sheet.

Hi Talon...some of the above are available as an original, and the grey's will soon (once finished) be available as a limited edition print. I will keep you posted. 20+ are already sold though.

update...sorry been so long on this... Cheers...Ian

FairY wrote: I have a deal I make with owners of the species I am looking to draw... It goes like this...you let me take photographs of the animal, and then once I have cleaned out the rubbish and got the best photos sorted, I give you a C.D. or download of all the photos I took. Then, if and when I finish the artwork and have it printed, you get a choice of prints from number 2 to the last but one (i.e. I always keep numbers 1 and the last of the run). I am not a bad photographer, so even if I never use a photo for a drawing, you may still end up with something along these lines for your troubles... so, I suppose it all depends on where you are in the world? If your close enough and can spare the time, you may have a model I can use? Cheers. Ian