From the sketchbook... (1 Viewer)

[Woody]

Such a pleasure to see these sketches I can't help keep coming back for more. Superb work Alan.

Mike

 

[buzzard12]

Hi all,

Been neglecting the thread a little of late, though been birding a lot. Always find it hard to stop and sketch at this time of year with the possibility of scarce or rare birds high. Been a terrible Sept. here for rarities, winds west or Northwest the whole month...
Anyhow, a couple of drawings from the past few weeks here done with graphite stick. Both are large drawings on A3 pad, nice way to draw. Caspian Gull 1st Calender and Tree Sparrow here. Tree Sparrows are fueling my thoughts at the moment, 500 birds present not far from the apartment, with the autumn leaves and colours I am thinking about a large collage...

 

[buzzard12]

Angarn yesterday. Highlight was a stunning White Tailed Eagle right over my head, though no sketches. I did get some decent photos which are now on the blog.
Quite a poor day for birds really, so made myself sketch what was there. A feature of the time of year is Jay hording acorns, lots about yesterday, sketch here. Also Reed Buntings everywhere for some reason, all very viewable, which is not normal, so spent ime on them too, results here.

 

[ARTHUR BISHOP]

Some more brilliant sketching Alan

 

[nickderry]

very strong stuff here - though we expect nothing less! Tree Sparrow collage - DO IT!!! Yes! You do them so well. That Jay is just aching to be painted too.

 

[buzzard12]

very strong stuff here - though we expect nothing less! Tree Sparrow collage - DO IT!!! Yes! You do them so well. That Jay is just aching to be painted too.

Been having hassle finding crepe paper, which is the way forward for the Tree Sparrow piece I reckon, going on a tour of Stocholm City art stores tomorrow to try track some down...
Will get to the Jay too, figure that to be a largish canvas and acrylic...

 

[colleenc]

love the tree sparrow sketches, strong simple form with the deep contrast in markings...can't wait for the collage.

 

[timwootton]

Oh - lovely stuff here Alan - talk about eye-candy. That caspian gull's a gem and a half - great bird and exquisite rendition - lines and tones amalgamate into liquid water and rounded, soft form. Beaaaaauuuuuty!

 

[solitaryVSong]

Oh - lovely stuff here Alan - talk about eye-candy. That caspian gull's a gem and a half - great bird and exquisite rendition - lines and tones amalgamate into liquid water and rounded, soft form. Beaaaaauuuuuty!

I'm with Tim on the Caspian Gull. A very strong drawing, for all the reason Tim says........

 

[jomo]

A feature of the time of year is Jay hording acorns, lots about yesterday, sketch here. Also Reed Buntings everywhere for some reason, all very viewable, which is not normal, so spent ime on them too, results here.

Paint them, paint them, paint them. These need colour!

 

[Woody]

Super sketches as always, there's a host of paintings just begging to be worked on in this little lot so don't keep us waiting too long!

Mike

 

[Beverly Stayart]

Thank you for sharing your talented sketches of these beautiful birds.

 

[Strandman]

Angarn yesterday. Highlight was a stunning White Tailed Eagle right over my head, though no sketches. I did get some decent photos which are now on the blog.
Quite a poor day for birds really, so made myself sketch what was there. A feature of the time of year is Jay hording acorns, lots about yesterday, sketch here. Also Reed Buntings everywhere for some reason, all very viewable, which is not normal, so spent ime on them too, results here.

Always a red letter day when one of your little collections pops up. Pic 2 (bunting on weeds) on here caught my eye - somehow extra delicate.

 

[buzzard12]

Crepe paper found as indeed was a wonderful little art and hobby shop, full of good stuff. With the tree sparrows in mind picked out an autumnal range, from dark neutral grey through to a dull mustard yellow. Tree Sparrows started, trying a smallish piece first(18x14"), may go on to a larger piece after that if this one goes well.
Tree Sparrow trio here, paint slapped on a bit uncerimoniously pre collage leaves..

 

[nickderry]

can't help but feel a little excited for this!

 

[buzzard12]

Burning the midnight oil here, almost 3am, have been in a somewhat zomboid state of mind for the past couple of hours cutting up leaf shaped crepe and coloured tissue paper, then glue, then pasting. Have discovered by happy accident the transparent qualities of the tissue can be rather useful, lighter foreground leaves have been made more opaque by way of liberal amounts of PVA glue to back up the tissue. Have decided on the use of red tissue to help bind the picture together, just seem to work. Happy with the collaged leaves now I think. Feeling my way through this one, rather an enjoyable process...
Next some dark paint to give depth, the detail on the birds last I think, may go on through the night. Progress so far here...

 

[timwootton]

Keep going Alan - very nice indeed.

 

[buzzard12]

Getting there. I think this one is one of those that falls together at the end, added some darks for depth and some branches now done. Should be done soon. Hoping to get over To Årstafältet to get some more Tree Sparrow sketches for a bigger piece..

 

[buzzard12]

Tree Sparrow Collage; 18"x14"; Cloured Tissue, Crepe Paper and Acrylic.

All done, this has been great fun to do. Not doing any more to this, birds need to stay a little loose to match the collaged leaves.

 

[timwootton]

And what a fine result! Gorgeous piece Alan, colourful yet harmonious and smashing little birds - fine, fine , fine.