Jakob Bogdani Oil Pastel Birds

In this lesson, we continue to explore the subject of birds using the artist Jakob Bogdani as inspiration. In his compositions, he put many different birds together in a landscape that often had small buildings in the background. Many of the birds were probably imported, although I believe he used taxidermy specimens to help him create his work. In fact, the images remind me of the cases you find with various birds displayed in them.

I first came across his work at Angelsey Abbey in Cambridgeshire and found it really inspiring as it offers the idea that you can create interesting compositions as well as add exciting and amusing characteristics to the birds depicted.

We use oil pastel in this lesson which is a very immediate dry medium that also allows you to create a painterly effect whilst using mark-making to create texture as well as the feeling of energy and movement.