30 Sketches Projects I-VII

FAIL.

Every now and again I produce a drawing worthy of being airbrushed on the side of a shady kidnapper van. The above sketch of a Golden Eagle is one of those sketches. Kidnapper van not your style? How bout this image as a black velvet Elvis-style painting? Another option...this eagle painted on the back of an acid-washed denim jacket? The possibilities are endless really.

I saw my first osprey in the wild while in Wyoming. I've always thought that their high pitched cry doesn't quite match their fierce and beautiful build. Twenty down with ten more sketches to go!

Today's post is a Thank You Chicken. I have a professor from my undergrad studies that has been wicked helpful with prepping for grad school. Unfortunately, I can't remember this chickie's name but she belonged to said prof and she passed away a few months ago. Sweet slumber chickie. Her color palette was so lovely that I had to share.

I can't stop with the Turkey Vultures. I think I might have been one in a past life. Is that why I'm such a dirtbag ?

Happy Thanksgiving! Here is a Fairy Tern for ya.

Peregrine Falcons are known for their insane flight speeds which can reach well over 100 mph. When I volunteered at Liberty Wildlife, I got to spend some time with Persephone the Peregrine Falcon. She has this regal air about her and is strikingly beautiful. Upon entering her cage to clean and feed, she commanded cautious easy movements and respect from me which I was more than happy to give. Thanks Persephone.

If I were a bird I might be a Laughing Kookaburra. This sheet of butcher paper came from the same "drop cloth" that the last two daily sketches came from. My favorite part of this particular sheet is a quote covered by the Kookaburra's beak which reads, "No more half-assed". Okay.

I adore Ptarmigans. Why you ask? Three reasons really...1. huge, fluffy rabbit feet, 2. short, stocky bills, and 3. rounded rollie-pollie bodies. The top image is a close-up and the bottom shows the jacked up sheet of butcher paper I used. (You may notice a similar sheet from yesterday's drawing as well). I cover my drawing table with a 24"x36" sheet of butcher paper to keep the sketch zone semi-clean. When it's properly scribbled on I cut it into 8"x10" sections instead of trashing it. I love to see a finished sketch with all of the marks and random notes in the background.

Lucky day number 13. You know I had to throw in another turkey vulture. I spent the day with some killer friends at the racetrack. Yeah, Bukowski-style...horse-betting, whiskey and all. This is a good representation of how I feel at the moment. Hungry.

Linnea, sketch #2 is complete! Both tom turkey and this dude will be in the mail first thing next week. I mega-enjoyed working on this. It pleased my Texas roots.

Here is your tom turkey Linnea! Deer is soon to follow!

November 17th. My birthday. The big 35. I worked all day and now it is time to celebrate. Don't worry 30 Sketches Project, I didn't forget you my friend. This birthday chicken is just for you.

So I had my first grad school interview today via Skype. Yikes! To release some nervous energy before it began, I worked on this sketch of a Ruppell's griffon vulture. Sense any tension in the background marks? Nah...

This is the second Jacana chick I've drawn. I did the first one while in WY. I was flipping through a bird book when I came to a screeching halt upon seeing this little guy. I mean, check out those paws! (Don't worry he will grow into them).

(A slightly better pic) Sorry about the past couple of photos but I wanted to get them posted ASAP. I mean, this gig is about sketching everyday. Photo shoot manana and then shrink wrapping the last week of these babies. They will be for sale in my etsy shop... http://www.rowdystudios.etsy.com/ . The holiday season is upon us and your friends and family told me they want my sketches for gifts.

The Weka is a flightless bird native to New Zealand. They are about the size of your average chicken. There is something that I find so fascinating about flightless birds. It's like a fish that can't swim...kinda. You catch my drift. It's only Day 6 and I'm already having to find ways to squeeze this sketch project into the short amount of hours that make up a day. Solution...start sketching on my lunch break and then wrap it up this evening.

Little Auks are indeed little. They are round with sweet short bills. One day I shall hold one in the palm of my hand...

So yesterday's post influenced today's. Above your eyes spy a turkey vulture chick. Maybe you are not a fan of grownup turkey vultures, so a t.vulture baby might be more your speed. He is totally a fuzz ball and I love him. I want to love him and hug him and squeeze him....

I adore vultures. They are amazing and beautiful. Any being that uses barfing as a defense mechanism is okay in my book. Above is a commissioned piece for a kind soul at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in PA. So nice to work with people that appreciate the greatness of these creatures. I high five you turkey vultures.

This is a White-throated spadebill. He is from Brazil and belongs to the Tyrant Flycatcher fam. (I also think that "Tyrant Flycatcher" would make for a pretty killer band name). The weather here in AZ is so amazingly wonderful that I drug several of my bird books to the back porch and soaked up some sun rays. When searching for my "bird of the day" to sketch, I never look for a particular species. It mostly has to do with their shape. I also usually pick fairly neutral-colored birds. I don't like working with bright colors in pastel which is a bit odd considering that my oil paintings are always vibrant.

My friends it’s on. A year has passed since 30 Sketches Project III came to an end, it’s been long overdue to continue with the sketching extravaganza. 2010 has been insanity. Time to get some normality…sketch-style. You know the rules: a sketch everyday for 30 days. I sketch my heart out and post. Simple. First sketch of the season – a dove in flight. Let’s do this!