Artist finds inspiration in birds of gulf islands

Wildlife artist Chris Gaskin spends hours drawing the intricate patterns on a bird.

The feathers can be the hardest part, he says.

"In regards to plumage, they're not very colourful usually. But if you get close to them, they're very clean and flat, quite beautiful.

"Trying to depict a bird in flight isn't easy either - I just keep playing with it until I think it's right."

Gaskin is one of three wildlife artists whose works are featured in a three-part poster series that will be running in association with the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park in the Herald next week.

The artwork is produced by some of the country's best wildlife artists - Gaskin, Keith Woodley and Vivian Ward.

Gaskin can spend days and weeks on some of the gulf's most remote islands, researching and illustrating birds.

He has also worked alongside children's authors, illustrating birdlife for children's books.

"A lot of [my drawings] are based on the birds on the water and when they're flying over the water - which I really like.

"But I also look at references or photographs people have taken of the wildlife."

In recent years, he has started using recorders to identify bird sounds and determine what kind of birds are in the area.

"One aspect of the work I've been doing on the islands is using recorders, leaving them out there and coming back and just listening to them."

Gaskin, with a team of other experts, has just returned from Chile, where they discovered a new bird species.

He says he will continue drawing birds for as long as he can - no matter how time-consuming it may be.

"I think I'm a believer in giving people quality - getting information and presenting it well. There's a certain charm in taking time to focus on the details and I enjoy it."