Elina's Corner (1 Viewer)

[EliS]

Hmmm. Looks like I haven't been away from Birdforum as long as I've been from my blog - which I just updated. I'm trying to get back to all the things that are important to me, one of them being drawing and painting. Studies and some life changes have kept me pretty much occupied, but not that occupied I couldn't touch a pencil or a pen every now and then - not to mention putting it on paper and making some drawings or sketches!

Here's a "surinam swallow", a fictional bird I was asked to draw for a local bird publication. I really had a blast, finding out what swallows in South America look like and then altering their looks to make a new bird. Let this be a new opening to being back.

(Now of course before I start actually posting field sketches, the weather needs to get warmer, the winter's been COLD!)

Oh, and though this is a bit off topic, here's what's been keeping me busy for the past half a year. That's Niuniu in the second pic, a herding line Finnish Lapphund. She's 9 months old now, and is becoming a great birdwatcher.

(Yes, she's got feet, but like I said, it's been a very wintery winter - which means lots of snow!)

 

[nickderry]

Great to have you back Elina, Niuniu is HUGE compared to the last time we saw her! Love the Surinam Swallow too. Looking forward to seeing you round here more often!

 

[timwootton]

Great drawing Elina - and what a fabulous dog! What sort of weight will she be?

 

[Woody]

Welcome back from the cold Elina! Gotta agree with Tim, that's one fine looking dog, I love the way her ears flop over, just a bit.

Mike

 

[colleenc]

I've never even heard of this kind of dog, what a beauty, full of life and intelligence. looking forward to your work.

 

[EliS]

I am truly ashamed of myself for having done so little drawing or painting during the past year. I do doodle whenever there's a pen and paper at hand. Busy busy life. But I am hoping I'll have reason (and even perhaps must) concentrate on drawing and painting a lot more in the futere. As soon as I get this one big thesis work done... We'll see.

Anyhow, dropped in to post a self portrait I drew lately. :-O Have to run off right away, still need to finish 2 pages of text for tonight...

 

[phil baber]

Which hairdresser do you use Elina? That's a wicked style!

Futuristic backcomb and "Siouxsie and the Banshees mascara application!"

Overdone it on the footwear I feel, but, hey! What do I know about current Finnish fashion...

 

[solitaryVSong]

I am truly ashamed of myself for having done so little drawing or painting during the past year. I do doodle whenever there's a pen and paper at hand. Busy busy life. But I am hoping I'll have reason (and even perhaps must) concentrate on drawing and painting a lot more in the futere. As soon as I get this one big thesis work done... We'll see.

Anyhow, dropped in to post a self portrait I drew lately. :-O Have to run off right away, still need to finish 2 pages of text for tonight...

Never had to do a thesis but I remember watching friends struggle through them. I'd think these drawings would help to keep you sane during the process. I'm with Phil in admiring the hairdo.

 

[EliS]

Overdone it on the footwear I feel, but, hey! What do I know about current Finnish fashion...

Footwear was overdone on purpose. We have these "Rokka Rubber boots" here that are very very warm and practical in the winter. The downsize is, due to the warm padding inside, they're BIG and robust. And since my feet aren't small to begin with... My mom had such a laughing fit when she first saw the boots. Therefore, overdid them so they'd be identifiable to my family. :-O

 

[JTMB]

Hi Elina,

I love the self-portrait! Here near Seattle, WA, we empathize with the need for big boots but for a slightly different reason. We don't get much snow, but many of us refer to November through March as 'monsoon season' - birding is wet and soggy. Nice to see your drawings here.

 

[EliS]

Phew, this time the thread didn't complain to me about digging up an old thread.

I just pampered myself with a set of watercolor pencils for Christmas and now have been experimenting with them, doodling away happy as ever. It really is amazing what proper equipment can do. Thought I'd post a wolf (not a bird, but wildlife!) and a quick scenic sketch of Lesser white-fronted geese that should become a painting some day. And then there's this piece I've been meaning to get working on for two years now, of a Pied Wheatear I saw a few years back. Did - once again - some sketches of how to compose the thing, and may have come up with an idea on how to approach the painting/drawing...

Also, I should do a hoopoe or some owl or gray wagtail or kingfisher. I was asked to do this painting/drawing for someone. I did try out my hand at hoopoe a bit already. Not sure though which one I should go with. But, that project should keep me posted for a while...

Edit: Ah yes, been experimenting with drawing on colored paper. Interesting to be working "the other way round", building up the light on darker. I'm hooked and am afraid I'll have to go buy some more cardboard soon at this rate.

 

[Lykos]

very beautiful Elina :t:

friendly greetings Gaby

 

[EliS]

Thank you, Gaby.

Well well well... I've been drawing a lot the past couple of days... Apparently I've stayed away from serious "picture creating" far too long. Now seems like I cannot stop. Nor do I quite honestly want to. (And I adore my color pencils!)

Anyhow, like I said, my assignment should keep me posted. I decided owls are a bit a lot to try and tackle out of the blue. Watched some videos on youtube of kingfishers, and sketched from those. Next best thing to watching them live (never seen a kingfisher in real life) - and the pause button is very nice with a bird one is unfamiliar with!

Here are the sketches (the whole sketch sheet, and two closeups), I think I'm going to go ahead with the kingfisher and forget the hoopoe and the owls (well, might consider the gray wagtail - but kingfisher is such an interesting and colorful little thing to draw I might just go with it out of personal preference).

I'll probably do some more video-sketching, then try to come up with a composition.

 

[solitaryVSong]

I particularly like the hoopoe Elina.

 

[YourBirdOasis]

Wow! I see some really great artwork here. Seeing an artist catch their flow is a beautiful thing and makes me want to be more creative too!

 

[EliS]

Well, I got onto that Lesser white-fronted geese in the moonlight piece sooner than I thought I would. The inspiration hit me and I just had to paint it - in the middle of the night. It's 4:30 AM right now.

I did this with the watercolor pencils - using them both as water colors and pencils. I think I just may be on to finding a medium that may make painting a bit more effortless for me (it still doesn't come naturally).

The sky...looks bad. I have to work on my "sky painting speed and technique" yet.

Overall, after a bumpy start, had fun. Might be on to some fiddling yet...

Overall pic, detail of the geese...and last one - I love it how Niuniu just calmly curls up to sleep in the middle of the mayhem of drawings on the sofa. She's learned not to touch my papers - fortunately!

 

[Lykos]

- I love it how Niuniu just calmly curls up to sleep in the middle of the mayhem of drawings on the sofa. She's learned not to touch my papers - fortunately!

what a luck you have with Niuniu ,my parrots love the chalk ,and they are quick and fly away :eek!:

4.30 lovely time to paint

but it`s beautiful

friendly greetings Gaby

 

[EliS]

Thank you Gaby, and yes, 4:30 is very inspireing. How come the inspiration always hits at night, I just wonder. No distractions, no need to be anywhere (erm, except in bed perhaps, sleeping)...?

LOL yes, creatures with wings that like art supplies, I can see how that could be a problem, lol!

Well well well. Help! How much of a problem is it that the birds are facing the same way? Also, I have no idea what to do with colors. I want to keep it harmonious...but juxtaposing colors won't work. Since the bird itself has blue vs. orange in it.

But right now, I'm most worried about them facing the same way. Wouldn't want to tweak the "sitting" bird though, since I'm actually happy with it's face.

Choices, choices... Oh, it's 1 AM... I might have the ready product posted here before anyone even gets to read this post.

EDIT: Update at 3:40 AM. Background and birds basically colored... Now the details. I don't think I'll have this finished tonight. I might be in for a lil break now... Sleep might be good too... We'll see.

 

[phil baber]

Lovely pieces Elina!

Particularly like the Lesser White-Front Study...

 

[Lykos]

good work with the colors

and I love the expression on their faces

friendly greetings Gaby