Owls are nothing without their characteristic stare and Les has captured this perfectly here. Despite his grandson telling him “It will be nice when it’s finished”, this ‘emerging from the background’ technique is fine by me.

The attention to detail in the eyes has helped capture the typical hang-dog expression so characteristic of this breed. What pet wouldn’t want to be immortalised in such a lovely marquetry picture as this. A worthy award-winning winner in the Beginner’s Class in 2019.