Can't Resist Those Red Feet

The beautiful Red Footed Falcon.

I am sharing the steps that I went through while drawing/painting this amazing falcon.

I hope that you fall in love with his beautiful colors as much as I have.

The head was a little too chubby in my first attempt. I did like the feet though.

This one looks much better but i ran out of room for the red feet!

I decided to make use of both drawings and put them together, yet separate.

Like this -

I had to clean it up a bit and darken the lines.
It looks like this now -

And after a little PSE magic, here is the final drawing with digital paint applied.

 Of course the colors I used are a bit bolder than you would find in nature but as an artist, I am allowed that.

(aren't I?)


If so, then I am allowing a background color on this one.

No actual birds were harmed during this exercise.
I know that you are happy that I didn't chop the red feet off of a falcon while drawing this.

Birds of Prey

I decided to do one more bird.

A beautiful raptor, the Osprey.

My husband and I used to see them when we were kayaking.

They are so beautiful, so fierce if you get too close to their nests!


Pen drawing - no corrections.

A little correction with the mighty erasure.
.

And, my favorite, the color edition.

Shadow on neck is fading out.

Green Jay

 This is the origianl drawing of the Green Jay.
I jotted down the colors for reference.

 Then I added the box around it.

 I scanned the drawing into Photo Shop Elements and erased the color notations.

 Then I added lovely color - the thing that beckons our eyes to turn towards it.

I used a "National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds" as my color guide.
And, of course, I used a tiny bit of artistic license with the colors...even though the bird is very bright without my assistance!

Unless I pull out pen and paper again, this is the last of the bird drawings that I have for you. Although I may try my hand at a few raptors...

Bachman's Warbler

Eastern Bluebird

Happy July 4 America!

Mr. Kingfisher

Blackburnian Warbler

Hummers

Let's Add Some Color

The outline is darker in this view.

One thing I usually do is to save a "clean" version - meaning no color, no darker or plumper lines.
Then I duplicate that version and begin to darken the lines, plump them up if they need it.
I may add a few colors to play around, if that is what I had in mind in the first place (or if I change my very changeable mind).


Which view do you like?

More, More, More

    Straight from my lap desk. No changes made.

I darkened the entire drawing (PSE) and erased teh marks in the beak. 

Can't. Stop.

Must. Stop.

I can't seem to stop drawing these birds!


So.
Much.
Fun.

More More More!

More bird head patterns!

Inspiration Part 2

Another bird flew out from the Nigel Peake inspiration.

I am sure that I have at least 20 more of these to go before I get tired of them.

By the time I get to #20, it will truly be my own bird.

One Bird

One bird.
Several applications of color and line.


I usually draw a couple of versions of the same image.

I begin with way too many details...I can't help it.
I get started drawing and I can't seem to stop. With the small details that is.
(But I know that I can alter it digitally so I don't worry about it).


I scan the drawing as is.

Then I drag it into PSE (or PS) and begin erasing all those tiny details.
I save a stripped down image and one of (almost) every version or translation in between.

Strip Down Model. No Color.

A few small details.

Why not add more??

A black bird.

A little bit of yellow bird.

Outlined in blue black bird.

A pink bird.

A red bird.

I could have create at least a hundred more variations using the same bird drawing.

I thought it would be fun to print the stripped down bird in an art journal and add details with a black pen (or colored one for that matter).

You could print the same bird on fabric and use stitch to add details.

There are so many different ways you could use this bird image!

The Speed of Life

And it is so fast, isn't it?

I am happy to report that I am still alive and kicking, er, drawing, that is.

I have been working in my Etsy shop today, adding new thermofax screens for your printing pleasure.

I am adding a new perk to the shop this go round.
I will be offering at least three different sizes for each individual image. You can pick and choose which size suits your needs!
And, as always, I continue to offer custom sizes as well.

Have a peek at a couple of new designs I added.
Then run over to the shop to see the remainder.

This is a scan of a doily that I made years (and years) ago.
It makes a wonderful print!

Thank you for hanging around, waiting to see if I would re-emerge.
A girl just needs a bit of time to pursue other interests now and then, doesn't she?