Sketching a bird seems to always endear it more to me. Both refining the colors and the bird shapes add more intimacy than I can other wise get with a glance or with photography.
The Swainson's Warbler, a tiny wood warbler that hangs out in dense thickets of rhododendrons, is a difficult bird to find, even if you hear it singing and know where to look. Their plumage is so subtle, they fade into the shadows. I don't have the colors just right on the bird yet. He's a bit too burnt sienna here. But as I worked out the values while sketching, I learned more about both his color and how to make the negative space help him stand out. And all the while, I found myself smiling, eager to create him again in a painting.
To see the progression of this sketch visit,
The Search for a Swainson's Warbler at Vickie's Sketchbook.
You know this is post number 1000? I'm sure your pretty warbler didn't know :))
ReplyDeleteHow in the world did you know that?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sketch Vickie, and SUCH an experience you had with that outing! I've just posted number 112 today, a far cry from your 1000! If you click on the tag "Vickie Henderson", you can count them! Is that what you did Sigrid? Or is there another method of keeping track? The reason I know mine is 112, is that all my posts are numbered and saved on my computer.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely, and amazing that you didn't work from a photograph.
ReplyDeleteI'm on Blogger and it just shows up on my Dashboard ;) Normally I don't pay much attention to these things but somehow that 1000 caught my eye.
ReplyDelete