49 x 53 cm
Arcylic and Charcoal on prepared paper
 
This is an initial sketch of the concept, the final painting hasn't been started as yet. It depicts a Fairy tern looking for signs of life and not knowing if the distant light is friend or foe. This handpainted study is completed with charcoal and acrylic paints on 200 gsm paper and signed in the bottom (right) corner
 
Part of the character of the study works is the stray pin holes, brush hair, coffee cup stains, folds and creases that form in their use as a reference tool. As a consequence, these sketches may have the usual wear of a working drawing - this is part of their narrative.