Gorgeous shiny little hummingbirds. These shimmer like jewels.
Long-tailed Sylph
illustration
Double Wattled Cassowary Chick
If an awkward adult bird is fun to draw, then the chick form must be even more wonderfully awkward, yes? Yes! I enjoyed drawing this one immensely. The “wattles” look creepily like human ears. One could call it “eerie” even. (Drum kick noise, then groan.)
Red breasted Merganser
Pen and ink, with scratchy nibs and an ink blot that turned into a nicely placed blob of brown feathers. Crazy hair, too.
Blackbrowed Albatrosses
I had problems scanning this one, because I did it in graphite. So it kept scanning all washed-out, white and ghostly grey. It was so hard to read. So I went a little overboard with the contrast, and now it looks like a pen drawing.
These cute little lovers are nuzzling, showing affection through neck scratches. But because they have these serious eyebrows (hence the name!) they look like they’re mad at each other instead of in love. Trust me, they’re in love.
American White Pelican
I like the head, but am not thrilled about the wing.
Ivory Billed Woodpecker
This bird is extinct. The drawing is from a stuffed specimen. So that’s why he looks dead in the eyes. He is dead. And so are all his ivory-billed friends.
Philippine Eagle
Another proud bird. I was excited when National Geographic did a story on the Philippine Eagle, because I am half-Filipino and I am always proud to see uplifting stories about my Nanay’s (mother) homeland. Apparently, these birds are very secretive and elusive.
This bird really worked for me. His eyes are a little quizzical, a little mysterious. That, with the little squiggle of a mouth makes him hard to read. He might be trying to tell us something, but what?
I sold this one to a friend at an art show.
*Side note – my 100th post! insert fireworks show here!*
California Osprey
One of my favorites from the year. This one just works. Great, powerful profile, such fun little feathers to draw, and I like the simple elegant composition.
I used the brush tip pens, which I completely fell in love with through this bird project. I also used colored pencil. Another proud California bird.
Semipalmated Plover
Vocabulary word: semipalmated means that he has partially webbed toes. This apparently is common for wading birds. So the very attribute that gives this bird such a funky name is nowhere to be seen in this image. Instead, you get a smirk and some shoulder action. But I like the swallow silhouette in the background.
claire meyler 