I started with a sky blue background with a darker blue texture toward the bottom and right corner
This is another background layer with the sun placed high in the sky and the initial textured sketch of the flying figure
I merged the two layers together
In this panel I added detail to the underlying silhouette of the flying figure in a reddish brown
Here I added the plumage with the mid tone blue and a lighter value blue for highlights. I added some textured noise around the figure to suggest the effect of the heat of the sun on the wax and feathers.
In the final panel I added more yelow to the sky to emphasize the heat and added some loose feathers.