Models
These birds are three dimensional models I made from thin paper. They are lifesize, and very realistic in colour and detail. Each bird takes about two weeks to design, assemble and paint. The paintwork is done with very fine brushes, in numerous thin layers using aquarel paint with gouache paint on top, whereby every detail and nuance in colouration in the featherpattern is shown.
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The originals are exhibited in art gallery's and in my studio in Leiden, the Netherlands. The birds are presented in specially made frames behind glass. Well protected behind the glass, the sculptures will last a lifetime. All the original models shown here are sold.
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You can order a model by mail.
Goldcrest
The smallest bird of the European continent, easily recognizable by its yellow crown.
House Sparrow
The male House Sparrow presented in its utmost beauty. I thought an ode was appropiate since the House Sparrow is declining in numbers in the Netherlands. When seen up close it's a beautiful bird, with its delicate rufous and grey colours.
Crested Tit
A not so well known bird this Crested Tit. But worth noticing for its remarkable crest, which was fun to make out op paper.
Tree Frog
A tiny cute frog, looking like on the verge of waking up or falling asleep.
To assemble this small-sized frog I had to use two tweezers in both hands. The parts were just too small and delicate to pick up by hand. Luckily the treefrog hides its toes when resting, making the allround shape just a little easier.
White Wagtail
I put the bird on a small mount to make the tail come out better.One day I will make a Wagtail that can wag its tail!
Wren
A singing Wren. The official dutch name for this bird is 'King of the winter' although the cold can take many casualties. It's one of the few bird who continues to sing the whole year through, also in the most severe winters.
Siskin
Siskins are very active and restless birds. They are also very social, forming small cohesive flocks especially in autumn and winter. They are fairly trusting of humans, it being possible to observe them from a short distance. Its diet is based on the seeds of deciduous trees such as birch and above all alder.The branch is also made of paper, but I don't have an idea yet how to to suggest alder seeds in paper.
Spotted Flycatcher
This little bird feeds on flying insects. They hunt from conspicuous perches, making sallies after passing flying insects, and often returning to the same perch. Their upright posture is characteristic. I pressed the eyes inwards just a little...Which gives the bird its typical concentrated expression when it's looking for insects.
Winchat
Birdwatchers will be familiar with the Whinchat. It's a bird for the real enthousiasts. Rare, and of a delicate colour.
Robin
I placed the paper robin in a paper box and in a wooden frame behind glass, as the other birds. But what is that other robin in the little window on the left? It's the same robin, but seen in an mirror, which is behind the passe partout. This way the front of the bird is also shown, and you get two for the price of one!
Bearded Reedling
An acrobat of the Reedbeds
Toad
This little toad measures only 4 cm (1.5 inch). It was difficult to make out of paper because of the toad's small size and warty skin. The golden eyes make up for its dull colour. The warts were suggested with paint.
Long-tailed Tit
Pink, white and black are the colours of this small bird. And note its remarkable yellow eyelids.
Dunnock
The Dunnock is a modest and inconspicuous bird. But from close the plumage reveal fine patterns and shades. Under the eye are fine white dots, I spared out in the paper.
Goldfinch
The beautiful Goldfinch.
Greenfinch
I always liked the Greenfich for its plumage. Its feathers show a nice combination of greys, greens, yellows and rufous colours.
Goldcrest
A second Goldcrest, with the golden crest feathers. raised.
Firecrest
The more rare Firecrest is very similar to the Goldcrest, but it has a stripe through the eye and its colours are more bright, especially around the shoulders and neck.
Bullfinch
A beautiful bird, the Bullfinch. The red belly was nice to paint. The bright red feathers hide very subtile colourchanges like grey and orange.
Hawfinch
The Hawfinch is a robust bird with a thick neck, large round head and a wide, strong conical beak with a metallic appearance.
Gurgle
An animal that is quite common in the netherlands but seldom seen: 'the common Gurgle' ;)
Kingfisher
The Kingfisher is one of my favourites models to make, it's such a beautiful bird. I made several designs.
Treekeeper
It was impossible to make the small curved beak of this bird out of paper, for this I used a small piece of wood, cut and sanded into the right shape.
But the rest-the tree trunk included-is paper.
Scops Owl
This model was made from an etched design.
House Sparrow II
Another male House Sparrow in a familiar pose in the search for food. The bread crust is also made of paper.
Vampire Bat
Some may find this Vampire Bat a bit scary. But this bat is harmless beacuse he is behind glass. And also it is not real, it's only made of paper.
Sea-Creatures
'Sea-creatures', also made from paper. The Deepseafish at the bottom caries its own light, made from glassfibre. These models are not lifesize like the birds, but each about 4 cm (1,6 inches) in lenght.
Deep Sea-Creatures II
Deep in the ocean strange creatures roam. There they live undisturbed and in complete darkness, never do they appear to the surface of the sea. These animals are small in size, they have strange shapes and colours, or they are semi-transparant. Some may carry their own lights in the form of lanterns on their head, these lights serve to attract prey.
From paper I made twelve of these animals. The deep-sea-animals are shown in a semi-scientific way in black paper boxes, and behind mat board and glass. The lights I made with optic fibre that transport the light from one lamp at the back of the artwork.
Four Monkeys
Four small monkeyfaces are hiding in the leaves.
