FOR wildlife artist Robin Wingrave, accuracy is crucial.
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Wingrave collects specimens of Tasmanian wildlife with a special permit from the Parks and Wildlife Service.
It was a southern boobook owl specimen Wingrave was referencing as he painted at the Eskleigh Artists in Action exhibition on Sunday.
‘‘With the specimen you can get the right colour of the bird,’’ he said.
‘‘Also if you represent the bird in a strong point of light you can put the specimen in a strong point of light so the colour will change.’’
‘‘The bird can move half an inch and all these feathers will change.’’
Wingrave said his career in wildlife painting began in Queensland, but had developed into something more after moving to Tasmania.
‘‘Since I’ve been in Tasmania for the last six years the landscape has really impressed me, so what I’m doing now is getting a really cool bit of Tasmanian wildlife, like the devil, and then getting a really cool bit of Tasmania and blending them together,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m finding Tasmanians are really appreciating it because they can relate to what they’re seeing.’’
Works from 13 artists were on show during Sunday’s event, including from internationally recognised artists Tony Smibert and Herman Pekel, as well as works by Fred Fullerton, Richard Klekociuk, Richard Holwill, and Vicki West.