My idea is based off of the mythical Asian Roc. A giant bird (looks similar to an eagle) that carries off elephants as prey. As a huge bird lover I wanted to create my own giant bird that can be ridden and used for many purposes. Which includes using them as weapons in battle or as an areal advantage to your foe.
I tried to create a bird (more specifically birds of prey) but with a specific feature that would make them stand out as well as being rather pretty (due to being a mythical beast). I started to look at insect features and thought the bright patterns and intricate blood vessels of bug wings would be really pretty. So I have started to experiment with this eagle shaped bird with the insect wings and how it would fold up against the body.
I then coloured the body and wings with the colours and patterns of the Red Spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis) butterfly as a rough example of colours and wing ideas. 
Sourced from: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/260082947200546412/
I also used the Glasswing Butterfly's transparent wings as part of the wing design too. This one seemed a little too vibrant and sort of like a kaleidoscope creature. I am aiming for a more natural colour palette but with a striking design and maybe a few specs of colour on the wings and body.
I am now going to try and work on some other bird designs.
