Winning Design-Federal Duck Stamp

[Weed Shark]

Here is Joe Hautman's wining entry: http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/

[Weed Shark]

Here are the top 15 entries from this falls contest. It includes previous winners Bruce Miller, Neal Anderson, Jim Hautman, Scot Storm, and Adam Grimm: http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/federal/results/top15_2007.htm

I'm glad they are back to some popular species again.

[Weed Shark]

I always scratch my head at the judging. I think Mr. Hautman's entry is a great winner.

Without getting into specifics or bashing anybodies artistic efforts, I wouldn't agree with all finalists. For instance, should these two have been finalists?

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=A4&Date=20070924&Category=LIFESTYLES&ArtNo=709240802&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=14&nocache=1

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=A4&Date=20070924&Category=LIFESTYLES&ArtNo=709240802&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=70&nocache=1

[Sartell Angler]

Quote:

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I always scratch my head at the judging. I think Mr. Hautman's entry is a great winner.

Without getting into specifics or bashing anybodies artistic efforts, I wouldn't agree with all finalists. For instance, should these two have been finalists?

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=A4&Date=20070924&Category=LIFESTYLES&ArtNo=709240802&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=14&nocache=1

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=A4&Date=20070924&Category=LIFESTYLES&ArtNo=709240802&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=70&nocache=1

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Agree with you completely weedshark...while the canvasback paintings background is excellent, the birds do not look anatomically correct, and that is coming from someone who doesn't study the anatomy of birds but instead just hunts them. The pintail painting is atrocious...not saying that I could do better because I couldn't but it doesn't belong in the "finalist" category, that is for sure.

Tough to beat the Hautmans when it comes to wildlife paintings, that is for sure.

[jiggin' fool]

Sartell,

Can't argue with you on the pintail drake.., looks a little "too painted", but regarding the anatomical looks of the cans.., OMG.., they are "spot-on" in my opinion. For instance.., feet dragging behind the wings.., that is my FIRST clue I am looking at cans in low-light!!!! I think the canvasback painting is flat-out AWESOME!!!!

[hanson]

I believe the paintings are judged blindly meaning the judges have no idea who the artists are who paint the paintings.

When you consider that, its absolutely phenomenal how the Hautman's come out on top all the time. They know how to paint, and they know how to paint images that meet the judge's criteria.

I think the winning Pintail stamp is awesome. One thing I notice over and over with the Hautman's winning paintings is composition. The birds are done great, but they have just the right amount of realistic background in the right spot to look good. This Pintail painting keeps your eye moving, but its just 2 birds and some cattails. The composition between the cattails and the positioning of the birds fills the space nicely and keeps the eye moving like I mentioned.

Some of these other guys have phenomenal birds but they fail in the rest of the painting. The one other painting I really like is the pair of Cans riding in the waves. The detail of the water (foam & bubbles) is unbelievable. I'm not sure if anyone else has tried to paint a bubble on the water before but painting something that is transparent and reflective is very, very tricky!

I say congrats to all those who entered!!