This study is more illustrative. Now that I have a better idea of the puffins basic structure, I can easily combine photos together to make an image. The above is an amalgamation of different photos from the Audubon "Project Puffin" and the lighthouse on Machias Seal Island in Maine.
I utilized less of the wax pastels in this study; and more colored pencil for better detail. The pastels I mainly used for the background and for where I wanted a softer look. I used darker blues and grays than in the photos I found and added a moon and clouds for atmosphere. Future images will be more illustrative and less realistic as I become more comfortable diverting from reality with this series. I plan to make larger eyes; like with "Big Eye Art" and add eerier landscapes. I do not know if I will create surreal art for this project; but I will definately draw from it for future works.
Below is another scan with less filters, I only adjusted the exposure; on the above I also adjusted the levels. The above is easiler to see while scrolling, and the below is a nicer image imho.
Now I see I need to wipe the dust off the scanner; oh well. You can view my previous studies here and here