#and I really instilled a lot of effort into shading his wings

[snowed-leopard]

TEAM BIRDTRESS DAY 6: SNIPER!

Sniper: the laughing owl, they’re an extinct species endemic to new zealand that was known for its cackle like call. A bird that goes extinct endemic to to where he was originally from seems quite fitting for one of the possibly last people alive that were born there. They’re also on the larger end of owls, fitting for the lanky dude, they also inhabited drier areas, and considering his home when is a very arid part of austrailia, I think it fits, especially since owls are sit and wait birds, which fits his job as a sniper. They also have superb eyesight. I really just couldn’t not make sniper an owl pretty much. It’s seems quite fitting for a man who clearly doesn’t quite belong among his home’s people and knows it to have this in the vein of his reminders that he’s different. He’s Australian, no doubt, but there’s always that bit that’ll tag along with him for the rest of his life.

Also sniper DOES get face feathers, why? Because I said so, hope that helps <3 (laughing owls have build in eyeshadow and I thought it would be funny to give sniper that and their white masks)

Next up is Pyro!

If you have suggestions for possible ideas for poses with engineer or heavy for theirs, do tell. I’m stumped with them.

Sources and ramblings below the cut!

An extraordinarily interesting bird, and one I picked out easily, but very hard to find images of. The 2nd link was actually my only reference for the underwing. It was rough. Sniper’s pose was easy, so I spiced it up with the fun lighting. He’s totally the sort of dude to use wings to stow himself away in any tree he doesn’t immediately succeed at climbing. Don’t pester him though. May end up with a kukri where your eye had been. I really struggled on the wing color for this. Tan and it’s associated dark browns get so tough to pick out for me and for no reason ;-;. The dappled lighting and the tree were soooo fun to do though. All the brushes I used for that are from devin Elle Kurtz’s wildflower pack. Been using them for various textures for years now.

The lack of info on this bird or special intrigue in the process make this one hard to commentate on, sorry :(