This gorgeous woodpecker, the Common Flameback (Dinopium javanense), is from Southeast Asia and Western India. It is also sometimes called the Common Goldenback Woodpecker. Both common names seem appropriate. I got photo references for this bird from the Toledo Zoo. I tend to paint mostly species I have seen in the wild, but when you get photos of something as beautiful as this, you have to break out the paints. I think my favorite part of this project was playing with the purple-blue shadows and the warm highlights.
Let me know if you’re interested in buying the original watercolor or a print of this painting. Some of my work is also available for licensing.
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