30 Sketches Projects I-VII

Sometimes I find a photo of a bird and have an instant need to sketch it. This Barn Swallow was one of those pics. The expression and pose are extremely important as well as color but there is something that I cannot put my finger on that sparks inspiration. (I feel it necessary to post a notice regarding the photos of my sketches, so here it is: My complete lack of photography skills mixed with an effort to post a pic everyday, leads to some janky pics. And for that I apologize).

This little guy is new to me. I stumbled across this image and nearly fell out of my chair! The Mallee Emu Wren is wee in size but has a monstrous impact on my heart.

Roseate Spoonbill, you are one interesting looking dude. Their deep pink coloring is similar to a flamingo. They use their unusual beak to feed on crustaceans by swinging it from side to side as it steadily walks through the water.

Gobble, gobble.

When I sat down to today's sketch, I knew I wanted to try something different. So I decided to work in black and white in hopes that I would focus more on my mark-making than color decisions. Over and over again, blending, taking away, adding... until it got to a point that it was about to be filed in the trashcan. Once you get that far, you can't screw it up any further. I began letting the marks be the values. If you zoom in, the end result looks like the bird is covered with a blackboard. That's something different alright.

This little guy is a Stone Curlew. Don't worry his wing is not injured but that is exactly what he wants you to think. In all of their brilliance, ground-nesting birds have employed a form of defense against predators hungry for their nestlings. The bird calls out in alarm, pretending to be at death's door. Of course the predator believes this to be an easy meal and follows the bird away from the nest. When the predator is far enough away from the nest the bird miraculously recovers and flys to join its now safe chicks. Bravo and encore!

This is something new for me, I've drawn chicks but no pre -chicks. This is a Broad-winged Hawk nest. Recently I acquired a most fantastic book entitled, Birds of the World: Birds of Prey, which is full to the brim with wonderful photos. I wish these eggs a long and prosperous life.

I believe one defense mechanism of baby birds is their menacing stare. And this young sparrow is no exception. Why do they wear a frown when all they do is make me smile?

There is nothing like a deadline to get you motivated. This deadline is in the form of an art fair called Indie Chic @ 10 th Street. The event will be held in front of the ASU Art Museum on Dec. 5 th . Click here for more info. Time to build up my inventory! And what better way than to commit to another round of the 30 Sketches Project. 30 Sketches Project III will consist of pastel and charcoal bird (I am so predictable) studies on butcher paper. I'll have 4 sizes (L)36x24", (M)24x17", (S)17x12", and (Wee)9x12". Sketch #1 is a Pearl-spotted Owlet (24x17"). It, along with all of the sketches from this project, will be for sale at the Indie Chic fair. I've got some serious sketching to do!