I think this was another bird I did on my lunch break with a reference book at the Oakland Public Library. I love that place.
Australian Pelican
drawing
Andean Gull
The scan is a little wonky on this one. The background is actually more greenish that straight yellow.
Brown Hawfinch
Mixed black and grey brush tip pens, with great success.
Collared Flycatcher
Why, halfway through the year did I throw in a scientific name? I don’t know. So few of the other drawings have the scientific name because I didn’t want to get it wrong. I love science, but I’m no expert. I’m just an avid appreciator of experts. So yeah- there’s a random genus species for you. Hope it’s right.
Black Vulture
If the boat-billed heron drawn on this same day reminded me of a Muppet, then this bird certainly reminds me of another Jim Henson creation: the Skeksis. I’m sure Mr. Henson was inspired by vultures in their design – few creatures are more revolting.
Oh man, I love Jim Henson and I love pretty much everything he did: but the Dark Crystal left a serious impression. I watched it when I was young enough to truly and unabashedly believe in magic, and the creatures on-screen moved me deeply. So the Skeksis (the bad guys) haunted me. I thought nothing could be creepier. My dad would drive me crazy by making their high squeaky moan/whine noise. And then he would giggle to himself when I clasped my hands over my ears and screamed for him to stop. Ah, the joys of torturing your kids.
The wrinkles and folds were fun to draw and a little infuriating. I kept getting lost and losing track – which wrinkle was I on? Does it bend left now, or wait – was I already to the fifth turn?
Boat Billed Heron
This is such a bizarre-looking creature that I tried drawing him more than once. I drew him again a few days after this attempt (post soon to come). The second drawing worked better. Even though I swear this image is true to the photo, he looks impossibly-designed. Truly, a muppet-worthy creation.
Barn Owl
Yummy. The texture, the medium, the subject – I am deliciously satisfied with this one. Maybe I should do more drawings in charcoal and pastels?
Northern Giant Petrel
Funky beak. I didn’t really understand what was going on with his beak, but I think it still works as a drawing.
Dodo
I thought I’d draw the dodo because I remember it from Alice in Wonderland, and because it’s such a bizarre-looking bird. But this drawings suffers from a lack of source material. Every other drawing I did was from a photograph. Unfortunately, the dodo was wiped out before cameras were readily available. So doing a drawing from drawing was problematic, to say the least. I am not thrilled with the results.
claire meyler 