" RED SQUIRREL "
Robert Bateman

950 s/n Paper
11" x 17.75"
$645

  

Red Squirrel - (Sciurus igniventris)

"Red squirrels, or their close cousins, are found all over the northern hemisphere
wherever there are coniferous trees. They are very active, scampering, jumping
and climbing throughout the day. They seem to be either moving full tilt or in a
“freeze alert” position. This is the pose I have chosen for this painting."

Although a red squirrel is not easy to see when it is motionless, for some unaccountable
reason it gives itself away by nervously flicking its tail. I have tried to imply the whiplash
motion by bringing out the rhythmic curves in the tail. I put it in a red pine because the
russet gray of the bark complimented the squirrel's coat. There were interesting lighting
problems in this painting. Inside the enclosure of the pine foliage very little light came
from above. However, in winter, the white of the snow under the tree reflects light
from below. The branches on the right are outside the canopy and, therefore,
their light comes from above." - Robert Bateman

Red Squirrel - Robert Bateman

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