feathered friends

• Resene testpots in your choice of colours. We used Resene Sushi, Resene Rebel, Resene Teak, Resene Half Blanc, Resene Black and Resene White for the kākāpō, Resene Japanese Laurel, Resene Deep Koamaru, Resene Pursuit, Resene Black, Resene White and Resene Happy for the rainbow lorikeet, and Resene Waterborne Woodsman Dark Oak, Resene Lone Ranger and Resene Happy for the ruru.
• Cardboard for the kākāpō head, ruru wings, lorikeet tail feather and each bird’s feet
• Egg carton for the rainbow lorikeet head
• Buttons for the ruru eyes
• Scissors
• Blu-Tack (or a hot glue gun with an adult’s help)
• Small paintbrush
• Drop cloth
• Clean rag

3. Using a small brush, paint the tips of the pinecone scales in a darker colour. We used Resene Rebel.

4. Cut a round face shape out of cardboard.

5. Apply a base colour to the shape. We used Resene Teak.

6. Once dry, paint features in your chosen colours. We used Resene Sushi and Resene Rebel for the face, Resene Half Blanc for the beak and Resene Black and Resene White for the eyes.

7. Draw the outline of two feet on a piece of cardboard.

8. Cut out both feet, then paint them. We used Resene Teak. Secure the face and feet using Blu-Tack or a hot glue gun with an adult’s help.

3. Using a small paintbrush, apply two coats of a different colour to the lower section of the pinecone for the belly. We used Resene Deep Koamaru.

4. Once dry, paint the lorikeet’s chest. We used two coats of Resene Pursuit and Resene Happy.

5. To make the lorikeet’s head, cut a cup from an egg carton. Cut out a triangular shape at the front of the egg cup to resemble a beak. Paint the head in two coats of the belly colour. We used Resene Deep Koamaru with eyes in Resene White and Resene Black.

6. Paint an oval shape on the front of the beak. We used Resene Pursuit.

7. Attach the head to the lorikeet with Blu-Tack or a glue gun. Apply to the underside so it’s not visible.

8. Draw the outline of two feet and a tail feather on to cardboard and cut out.

9. Paint your cardboard pieces. We used Resene Japanese Laurel and Resene Happy for the tail and Resene Happy for feet. Secure the tail feather to the back of the pinecone and the feet to the bottom, pushed up between the pinecone scales.

3. Most pinecones have a wooden stem which can work as a beak. If your pinecone doesn’t have a stem, cut out a small triangular piece of cardboard and stick to the pinecone. Paint the beak with two coats of colour. We used Resene Lone Ranger.

4. Paint two buttons with two coats of eye colour, allowing them to dry between coats. We used Resene Happy and Resene Black for the pupils. Attach to the pinecone with Blu-Tack or glue.

5. Draw two teardrop shapes onto cardboard for wings and cut out.

6. Apply the same shade of Resene Waterborne Woodsman to the wings, using loose brushstrokes for a textured effect. Do both sides, allowing them to dry in between.

7. Bend the wings to create a curve and attach to the sides of the ruru with Blu-Tack or glue.

8. Draw the two feet onto a piece of cardboard, cut out and paint. We used Resene Happy. Attach to the bottom of the pinecone with Blu-Tack.

Project: Shani Luckman
Images: Bryce Carleton

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of habitat magazine?

Printed copies of habitat highlights are available from late March 2024 at Resene ColorShops and resellers, while stocks last. You can view back issues of habitat magazine online.

• Specifiers:

  • Earn CPD points reading this magazine – If you're a specifier, earn ADNZ or NZRAB CPD points by reading habitat magazine. Once you've read an issue request your CPD points via the CPD portal for ADNZ (for NZ architectural designers) or NZRAB (for NZ architects).  Join our specifier and trade database...

If you have an idea, project or story that you think would suit habitat, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us an email with your details and include photos if submitting a project.

Sign up for a DIY card and Save! Australia | New Zealand