What does this solitary owl have to do with connection? It is a gift for Cynthia, who likes owls. Beyond that, it comes with a charming story about owl spotting in Kikinda, Serbia.
In addition to the reference photo, I put the Carolina Spring drawing on my clipboard. In no time at all, I understood the new challenges. The Carolina Spring flowers were on the ground, with a depth of field of about 7 inches. This owl is up in a tree. The owl is in focus, but the greenery behind it is in shadow and who knows how far away…
As soon as I began drawing the background vegetation, I realized that – other than a few visible leaves – I would just have to make stuff up. As usual, I was learning on the fly. There are areas where I’d like the lines
and areas where I don’t.
In retrospect, I wish I had kept better track of foreground and shadow and framed the subject with the vegetation.
As with the last drawing, I did an under drawing with watercolor pencil, then inked, then added more pencil and more ink. I also added signature stamp, since this is going out into the world.
I had help drawing the eyes and stamping.
Learning, learning, learning…
(Photo by Kjell Jansses, Wall Street Journal)
Are these really mouth drawings? I have heard of that, but don’t remember seeing examples. The line drawings have such a lovely, can I say quiver? I need to go back and look some more!
Yes they are mouth drawings. I hold watercolor pencils or markers in my teeth (or in a mouthpiece made for me by the OT at Courage Kenny). Thank you for the word “quiver.” I associate it with joy, unlike “tremor” which is more likely age, illness or earthquake!