As Winter Will Soon Be Here,

if you want a project for those long winter evenings,

 here is one to try, making model birds using a wire armature, which in this series of models is custom built by the artist,

 with a detailed structural plan, and hundreds of hand-fringed feathers,

 are just some of the components artist Niharika Rajput uses to create her life-like paper birds, but these are crafted not just for fun, Rajput directly ties her art practice to conservation efforts by running campaigns to spread awareness of endangered species around the world,

 to create her intricate sculptures, Rajput studies the anatomy of each bird, from its wing and tail structures to different types of feathers and facial features,

 after creating a sketch of all the component body parts, Rajput begins the labor-intensive assembly process, which is complete once she has added finishing touches with acrylic paint,

  the artist explains that she has had a lifelong affinity for wildlife and birds in particular, cemented by her family moving around a lot,

 nature was a steady presence even as Rajput’s built surroundings changed, as an adult, a visit to the Himalayas reconnected the artist to her passion for birds,

 here is a small look at the preparations the artist makes before work commences,

you can see more of Rajput’s sculptures on Instagram and Twitter, original works are also available for purchase on Etsy, so there you have it, a hobby to while away those long winter evenings.