Thesis - Lanner Falcon and Gyrfalcon

Here are the last of the two thesis paintings. This is the ninth of ten paintings, the lanner falcon:



...and the last of the ten paintings, the gyrfalcon:



Previously posted paintings:

Mongolian Eagle Hunters
Barn Owl - Mousers
Harpy Eagle - Overlooking Tikal
Saker Falcon - Desert Hunters
Red-tailed Hawk - Farmland Guard
Peregrine Falcon - Duck Hawk
Bald Eagle - He Who Catches the Salmon
Griffon Vulture - Fertile Goddess

Lanner Falcon Thesis Progress 1

Once more, I'm trying my hand at backlighting. The 'moon side' of the falcon is going to have a blue reflected light tint to it.



Oddly enough, this painting is going much faster than the vulture!

Griffon Vulture Progress and Lanner Falcon Sketch

More progress on the Griffon Vulture, plus a sketch of the next painting, which will explore the Lanner Falcon as the Egyptian god Horus.



And the sketch of the Lanner Falcon:



The sun and moon behind the falcon represent the belief that Horus' eyes were the sun and moon. I placed the focus on the Lanner's head since the shape of the Eye of Horus is believed to mirror that of the Lanner Falcon's facial markings.