Here are two more days of work on the Catbird. Drawing the tail and wing is tedious and slow going, but they are beginning to take shape and look good! I’m getting excited about moving on to the next quadrant. Happy Halloween!
I received this quote many years ago in a fortune cookie. Apparently the factory writers paraphrased it, but they still did a good job, so I will print it the “fortune cookie” way. If anyone knows the real quote, that will explain my variation!
“Try not to be a person of success but rather one of virtue” – Albert Einstein
Here is more development of the nest and the bird. I’m getting more excited about this drawing! The wings, tail and nest are still being drawn out. I’m posting a larger photograph for easier viewing.
I am excited to report that my colored pencil drawing “Bird’s Nest” was a semi-finalist in American Artist’s 70th Anniversary Competition. There were nine colored pencil drawings selected as semi-finalists, and three won prizes. Currently my drawing is highlighted on their website, and you can read the article by clicking on the following link:
http://www.myamericanartist.com/2007/10/colored-pencil-.html
The news just went on-line two days ago.
I will have the first working photograph of my new drawing posted tomorrow. Thanks for your continued interest in my artwork.
I’ve started to layout the pencil sketch for the Catbird nest drawing, and based on how detailed it is, it will be a couple of more days before I can put a sketch on-line. Here is an amusing quote I came across, definitely gets one to do a double take!
“The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources”. -Albert Einstein
I have selected the nest view I’m going to use for my next piece, and the challenge now is to add the bird into the composition. First I sketched an outline of a bird in an extra photograph of the nest with pencil. When somewhat satisfied with the proportions, I went over the outline with a fine-tip sharpie pen. The results were as shown in the first photograph.
This is not enough information for me to proceed with the drawing, so I continued by using some tracing paper to sketch the outline of the bird and cut it out. I then held it over the photograph and used some colored pencils to add some opacity to the bird and block out some of the background of the nest. More simple details were then added to the bird – just enough to give it a little definition, as shown in the photograph below.
Now I have a clearer idea of what I’m going to be working towards. I want to show off the classic catbird pose of it “flashing it’s tail feathers” so that it’s chestnut colors are showing. I plan to change the bittersweet berries that have burst open (a late fall occurance) to unopened, round, golden summer berries. Likewise, the dead leaves will be changed to green, living bittersweet leaves.
Click on thumbnails for enlargements. Any comments?
I’m planning to start a new still-life and have decided to draw a Catbird’s nest with a Catbird sitting on one of the branches of the nest. I still can’t decide if the bird will have nesting material in it’s beak or not.
I have had several experiences with Catbirds nesting near my community garden, as my plot is the last one on a long aisle, and it’s sited right next to the Wellesley College wooded grounds. It’s very overgrown and brushy, and there are many berry-producing shrubs and trees all around – the perfect habitat for Catbirds, Cedar Waxwings, Mockingbirds, Robins and Cardinals. Last summer I decided to see if I could find where some Catbirds were nesting and I walked up to the nearest Bayberry shrub (approximately 5 feet from my garden fence), looked straight down into the shrub, and there were four nestling Catbirds staring straight up at me, mouths open! I do have some photographs of them, but unfortunately they aren’t digital.
Here are a couple of photographs of a Catbird nest from different angles that I’m considering using. (Click on thumbnails for enlargements).
It has been an absolutely crazy week on my end, and I keep hoping to start a new piece and something comes up. I do, however, have some “extra” time on this long, holiday weekend, so I should have some initial photos to post next week. Here is one of my all-time favorite quotes:
“All men are ordinary men, the extraordinary men are those who know it” – C. K. Chesterton
Happy Columbus Day!
I’m in the process of beginning a new piece and there isn’t anything to show yet. Here is a quote I love instead.
If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. -Chinese Proverb
I hope to have something new to post tomorrow. Have a great night!
At this stage I am tweaking the drawing. I’ve worked a little more on the butterfly’s body, the wood and the background coloring. (Click on thumbnail for enlargement). I would say this piece is done! One of the reasons this drawing went so quickly is that it is small – only 8.5 x 11 inches. Any comments are welcomed. 
Powered by WordPress