solitaryVSong
Well-known member
Colleen is right. You've made a lot of progress. I particularly like the field sketch , but also the oils. Getting used to working fast in oils is a valuable thing I think, and something I've never learned.
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JTMB's Bird Art (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter JTMB
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Colleen is right. You've made a lot of progress. I particularly like the field sketch , but also the oils. Getting used to working fast in oils is a valuable thing I think, and something I've never learned.
JTMB
Well-known member
Thanks Colleen, Ken and Russ! I do feel like I've improved over the last year, but it is hard to see one's own incremental improvement, so nice to hear those sentiments.
Russ - I'm not sure whether I'm a Larophile or a Larophobe...:eek!:! No, I like gulls, but not to the extent of a true Larophile (we have several in our area, as you might imagine). In terms of making your mouth water for some stateside gulls...the big news out here is the presence of a Black-tailed Gull in Commencement Bay near Tacoma, WA for the last few days. Two years ago, one was here for a significant amount of time in the fall and winter, so there is speculation this one may be the same bird, and may be around for some time. A hopeless Larophile in Chicago posted to our regional birding list a couple days ago asking for info on the bird, and seriously contemplating a trip out here specifically to see it. I saw the one two years ago, and so haven't chased the current bird yet...but do have some photos a friend of mine took of it.
Russ - I'm not sure whether I'm a Larophile or a Larophobe...:eek!:! No, I like gulls, but not to the extent of a true Larophile (we have several in our area, as you might imagine). In terms of making your mouth water for some stateside gulls...the big news out here is the presence of a Black-tailed Gull in Commencement Bay near Tacoma, WA for the last few days. Two years ago, one was here for a significant amount of time in the fall and winter, so there is speculation this one may be the same bird, and may be around for some time. A hopeless Larophile in Chicago posted to our regional birding list a couple days ago asking for info on the bird, and seriously contemplating a trip out here specifically to see it. I saw the one two years ago, and so haven't chased the current bird yet...but do have some photos a friend of mine took of it.
JTMB
Well-known member
Here is a quick drawing while on the recliner watching the TV/telly. It is a Redhead (obviously only in monochrome) using fountain pen and violet ink. My main purpose in doing this one (other than a hour's enjoyment) was to draw a flight position - the values are not correct everywhere on the drawing. It is done from a magazine photo in an 8.5 x 11 inch sketchbook.
timwootton
Well-known member
John - just been looking at the gull work - the first one (from life) is miles away the best of the bunch. You really can do this very well indeed - maybe time to chuck the camera away? 
RussB
Going for Gold
John - just been looking at the gull work - the first one (from life) is miles away the best of the bunch. You really can do this very well indeed - maybe time to chuck the camera away?
Advice indeed.
Russ
phil baber
Clipped Wing
Some great work here John!
JTMB
Well-known member
Gulls from life
Hi folks,
I keep falling off the first page...I've decided to spend the majority of the fall and winter focusing on oil paintings so I guess that means I'll have to start incorporating birds into them so they can be posted here.
Yesterday I did get out for a couple hours in the morning with a sketching group, and we went to Lake Washington where there are usually assorted ducks and a swimming platform with resting gulls. These are all in a 6 x 10 watercolor sketchbook and were done quickly with waterproof pen first, then some quick watercolor washes added. Most of the gulls are Mew Gulls which are smaller birds with smaller bills, smaller heads and a 'dainty' look compared to the larger gulls.
Hi folks,
I keep falling off the first page...I've decided to spend the majority of the fall and winter focusing on oil paintings so I guess that means I'll have to start incorporating birds into them so they can be posted here.
Yesterday I did get out for a couple hours in the morning with a sketching group, and we went to Lake Washington where there are usually assorted ducks and a swimming platform with resting gulls. These are all in a 6 x 10 watercolor sketchbook and were done quickly with waterproof pen first, then some quick watercolor washes added. Most of the gulls are Mew Gulls which are smaller birds with smaller bills, smaller heads and a 'dainty' look compared to the larger gulls.
timwootton
Well-known member
Well, we're being blessed by an absolute plethora of gull-work on the forum at the moment and what a joy to see it all. John - these are great. You really have got into the real character of each species you're portraying and I very much like this pared-down way of working - the pen and wash style, is it? Looking froward to seeing what you do with the oils later in the year - with or without birds.
Terrific stuff - brill!
Terrific stuff - brill!
JTMB
Well-known member
Thanks Tim, Colleen and Weng Chun!
I agree with you Colleen...I think that the most basic and outwardly simple birds are the toughest to do sometimes. I find that to be true with our Dark-eyed Juncos here - the most numerous bird at our feeders during the winter. There's lots of opportunity to play with the color a bit, even though they're not a bright bird (except for the pink bill, maybe) but the anatomy is so subtle in that pudgy little form and especially when their feathers are fluffed a bit that my drawings so often come out looking stiff. Of course with other species, at least in my from-life sketches, it's tough not to have the same thing happen. If I'm working from a photo, I have an easier time capturing the subtleties that portray movement. All of which is why I have to spend more time drawing them from life...!
I agree with you Colleen...I think that the most basic and outwardly simple birds are the toughest to do sometimes. I find that to be true with our Dark-eyed Juncos here - the most numerous bird at our feeders during the winter. There's lots of opportunity to play with the color a bit, even though they're not a bright bird (except for the pink bill, maybe) but the anatomy is so subtle in that pudgy little form and especially when their feathers are fluffed a bit that my drawings so often come out looking stiff. Of course with other species, at least in my from-life sketches, it's tough not to have the same thing happen. If I'm working from a photo, I have an easier time capturing the subtleties that portray movement. All of which is why I have to spend more time drawing them from life...!
RussB
Going for Gold
Anybody who spends a few hours sketching gulls is alright in my book! Some nice studies here, and you've done well capturing some of those difficult facial expressions. You can get away with it with some species but definitely not gulls. If somethings not right it's usually this.
Nice work.
Russ
Nice work.
Russ
solitaryVSong
Well-known member
Just wanted to add my late commendations for all these gulls from life.
