This quick gesture sketch captures the pose and approximate markings, though the outer edges of the wren's tail are white--I missed that!
If you've ever heard of Thomas Bewick, artist/naturalist and wood engraver (and if you're a birder you'll remember Bewick's Wren and perhaps Bewick's Swan, though he also illustrated a book on quadrupeds and did a great many humorous illustrations as well), you'll enjoy this post by Katherine Tyrrell on her terrifically helpful blog, "Making a Mark."
Here's a direct link to today's post--you'll enjoy it!
More on the artist from the Bewick Society, http://www.bewicksociety.org/
Bewick’s Wren, known scientifically as Thryomanes bewickii, was collected by John James Audubon on its winter quarters in Louisiana in 1821. Audubon reportedly described this tiny bird and named for his friend, Thomas Bewick, a British engraver. It occurs in Great Britain and elsewhere, as well. Its range on the North American Continent ranged from southern Canada to Mexico, largely in the East to Midwest--we have them here in Missouri, but they're not as common as house wrens or winter wrens.
Kate, This is really a nice piece of work. I think I may have some of these. Now Can look with some educated eyes...Thanks
ReplyDeleteWe've got several different kinds of wrens around here, Ricky, they're SO cute and tiny.
ReplyDeleteI like the brevity of this sketch. A few lines and colors and a beautiful Wren on the page!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I love it when that works!
ReplyDeleteThese kind of sketches are wonderful because they show the essential nature of something! I love seeing a quick sketch by a talented artist - they make it look so easy, but it is NOT. I have seen Bewick's work but didn't realize how much he had contributed to the field, thank you for the information.
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