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Yellow-Headed Blackbird - Graphite on Paper
Copyright 2010, Nicole MacPherson
Yellow-Headed Blackbirds are impressive looking birds! They are lousy songsters though! But the males put on wonderful displays, easily compensating for any musical shortcomings. I've found them to be harder to photograph than the Red-Winged Blackbirds. Less common in general, and a bit more suspicious of humans. The Yellows are also more social, often foraging in groups.
This was my first attempt at a real background. I found it harder than I expected. Birds are fun to draw, grass and reeds are not!
As I've mentioned on this blog before, I don't use different kinds of pencils. But I think I might have to change that. Had to go over some parts a LOT to get them dark enough. This ended up warping the paper. It was even visible when scanned, and the paper underneath this one has a big, bird-shaped impression on it! Finished this guy up on the 21st, but he's been sitting beneath heavy stuff since that time, trying to get the paper to flatten!
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Posts
Nicole, this is just stunning!
ReplyDeleteSuch detail; beautiful.
Aww, thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteNic, this is just brilliant.
ReplyDeleteYes I know what you mean about using different pencils. However, when you get into 3 and 4B it also gets very messy on the paper and you dare not touch the background area as it ends up on your hands and smudges.
However, I am very guilty of not bothering with backgrounds, but they are necessary in some instances.
Looking forward to your next masterpiece.
Thanks Roy, you're too kind!! Hmm, that's something to think about, I tend to be messy with my ordinary HBs!! Haven't used art pencils in years...
ReplyDeleteI agree very much - one of the best on your blog so far Nicole! The impression of depth and structure on the black plumage is amazing. The background is really nice too - something I've not really attempted.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fraser! One of the reason I decided to include the background was that I liked the way the grasses angled up and out, contrasting with the way his tail feathers angled down and out. Hope that made sense!
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful drawing and your background is excellent, very detailed but subtle and realistic. Well done!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Harold! Glad you liked the background, it sure gave me enough trouble!
ReplyDelete....absolutely beautiful!!! I love the background too. I think that's going to be my thing for next year...working in more detailed backgrounds. You're also inspiring me to get my pencils back out. In the 80s I did everything in graphite...your drawings are luring me back!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kelly! I look forward to seeing your drawings, I sure enjoy your paintings!
ReplyDeleteThis drawing is wonderful! You have captured the essence of the bird exactly! Love it!
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks Kathie!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous drawing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn!
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