Thursday 14 January 2021

Thursday Art Date With Rain: "Birds and the Sky"

Rain's art theme for this week 
inspired me to finally finish 
one of my long-neglected assignments 
from the "Art of Coloured Pencils" 
class I took in the Fall of 2019.

Our subject was a cheery little warbler 
of some description or another 
(hey, I'm no birder, LOL!)

Here's the assignment at 
various stages of completion:


A word about the twigs --
the three completed ones
in this next photo
are meant to be bold, clear
and in the foreground.

All the rest are meant to
be fuzzy, indistinct
and in the background.

I'll let you judge whether
successfully accomplished that 
in the final version.


This is where I left off --


And here's the final version,
created from 17 different
colours of Prismacolor pencils.

I'm not thrilled with the background twigs
but I'm happier with them than with that
goddamn leaf beside the bird's body.

It's the worst fuckin' leaf
in the history of leaves
and I ain't lyin'.


But before everyone tells me
I'm too self-critical,
just let me say that
I'm very happy with 
my rendition of the bird
and the foreground twigs.

[Art and photographs © Debra She Who Seeks, 
December 2019 and January 2021]

61 comments:

Susan said...

Well, that may be the worst fucking leaf ever (says you) but that is is the best fucking warbler I've ever seen! And those twigs! :)

Rosemary said...

It is great to see some more of your lovely artwork Debra - do keep please keep showing us.

Rommy said...

Well I'm impressed! *sigh* I really should be playing with my pencils more.

jaz@octoberfarm said...

i think it is fantastic!!!

Bob said...

I love it and I am positive there are worse leaves out there!

Parnassus said...

Hello Debra, The textures on the warbler are amazing, as is the depth-perception (three conditionality?) on the twigs. I love the bright, lively colors on the bird echoing the senescent shades on the twigs--a great effect.
--Jim

Martha said...

This is gorgeous! I think you did an amazing job!

Sixpence Notthewiser said...

"It's the worst fuckin' leaf
in the history of leaves
and I ain't lyin'"

Hahahaha but of course you'd find something.. LOL

I think it's beautiful. Love the colors. You did a great job.

XOXO

Phil Slade said...

I'm just about managing to draw stick men. Your warbler looks ok to me and and I know that drawing birds is very very difficult when there are so many bird watchers out expecting perfection.

Linda dev said...

Well done my friend.

Suz said...

THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL! I love it and I have no idea what effing leaf you're referring to. ;)

DVArtist said...

Ohhhh myyyy goshhhhh. I love that you showed your process. You accomplished everything you set out to create. This is stunning. Have a great day today.

Leanna said...

Wow! Awesome job. You are a true artist.

Karen said...

Your little warbler is precious! Enjoy the weekend ahead ~ Love, Karen

anne marie in philly said...

pretty birdie!

Miss Kim said...

He's so sweet (and LOL about the leaf!)

Tundra Bunny said...

You've captured the delicate softness, colouration and dimensions of the warbler perfectly! I also liked the two pussy willow branches -- I wish there had been more. The leaf is fine, but perhaps it could have been greener to coincide with the pussy willows' emergence in spring or omitted all together. The warbler's legs and feet are a bit wonky... its left leg and foot are fine, but its right one looks like Dr. Seuss drew it!

Overall, you've drawn a beautiful rendition of a warbler... congratulations, Debra!

Mistress Maddie said...

I think that is so pretty and detailed. Colored pencil is tricky enough i think. I'd gladly hang that in my house!!!!!!

pam nash said...

Lovely as it is, leaf and all.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Tundra Bunny -- Dr. Seuss, LOL!

Christine said...

So beautiful, well done!

Her Royal Highness said...

I would gladly eat that bird. It looks delicious!

Marie Smith said...

I love it, Debra. Great job!

e said...

Love the texture on the wee bird, and those twigs. But, WTF with that leaf???
LoL

brewella deville said...

That bird is charming.

bobbie said...

I think you did GREAT!

Moving with Mitchell said...

I got a degree in art, taught art, worked as an artist and I can assure you that is NOT the worst fuckin' leaf
in the history of leaves. I can guarantee it! And the drawing is simply beautiful. I've said it before: You have a gift!

mshatch said...

Yay for art! I don't think the leaf looks as bad as you think it does :)

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

This is beautiful!!.... wow!

hula-la said...

WOW...it's just beautiful!!! NICELY DONE!

Mike said...

I tried to do a Bob Ross painting. Biggest painting fail of my life. I'll stick to painting walls. Your painting is great. Well, except for that leaf. So here's your next project paint the leaf out of the picture. The painting is about the bird, not a brown leaf. :)

Adam said...

Amazing art

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I can't draw. In fact, the only thing I can draw is flies!! If I could draw as well as you, I'd be over them moon with happiness. Glad you like your bird, because I LOVE IT. It's a real beauty. I also love how you took us through the various stages of the process, too. This turned out GREAT!

Elkes Lebensglück said...

What a wonderful and fantastic drawing. Take care, hugs Elke

Magic Love Crow said...

Girl, you are amazing! I know I have told you this before, but you are an amazing artist! I think this little bird, the twigs and even the worst fuckin' leaf in history, are breath taking!! Well done Debra! A+++ Big Hugs!

Cathy Kennedy said...

Debra,

You did an amazing job detailing, shading, and filling in the color on this little guy - beautiful work! 👍

Curious as a Cathy

Bill Lisleman said...

Yes the leaf color blends too well. Hey just add lots of similar leaves and you'll have a bird in the bush.

Jamie Meyers said...

I am a birder, and your guy looks like a European Robin to me. Nice work!

Janie Junebug said...

Outstanding! And who cares about a freaking leaf? Not I.

Love,
Janie

Joanne Noragon said...

Well done. Very good, even. I'm no expert, but learned a little from my sister, the real artist.

Guillaume said...

Lovely.

Brian Joseph said...

I love the way that you show the different stages of completion. The final product looks outstanding. You should definitely complete more of these.

Fundy Blue said...

LOL! My brain and eyes are tired, and it took some looking to find your fuckin' leaf. Now I can't stop seeing it. Your warbler is darling, at least it is when I can tear my eyes away from the leaf. I'm happy to see you're back at your art, Debra!

Kirk said...

Vey good, and I'm impressed with the color of that bird.

Bohemian said...

What Leaf? The Bird is done so well I don't really even notice the background... perhaps the background not being to your liking was a way to actually showcase the Bird better?

RO said...

Just fabulous work! You are so talented and gifted! Hugs and Happy New Year to you! RO

Travel said...

Such a pretty face

Rain said...

What-sh'you talkin' 'bout Debra??? :)
You obviously haven't seen my painted leaves lol...I think it's good! And you did an excellent job with the Prismacolor pencils...it takes some getting used to and lots of patience while layering, but the effect is beautiful. Great job!!! I hope you continue more art pieces because you are truly talented!!! :) xx

Elderberry-Rob said...

what a beautiful bird you have created there - who cares about the leaf, I often throw my pictures away because of a 'worst fucking leaf' scenario! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and there's plenty of it here :)

Val Ewing said...

I can draw some stick figures...sorta. This is pretty damn nice.

Morgaine Pendragon said...

So beautiful!!

Cal's Canadian Cave of Coolness said...

That looks great. WOW.

John M said...

Skillful, maybe I'll try it someday.

Ur-spo said...

lovely 1

Martha said...

Wow, the detail. Beautiful!

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

Well, this is my first visit to your blog and I can say one thing for sure ... you don't mince words when you are frustrated. A Psychiatrist would say well done!!! As for your leaf, it isn't half as bad as you think. It only seems that way because you did such an effing good job on the bird and the branches ... but a little imperfection is good in that it gives us room to grow. You have so many comments that if you even make it to mine, I will end by saying Great job, Debra ... and I look forward to your next wonderful albeit imperfect artwork.

Andrea @ From the Sol

Laura said...

oohhhh! i loooooovvveeee!!!!! birdy is so cute! and i like your twigs.
love, kisses & magical wishes...
~*~

NatureFootstep said...

I am glad you finished this little birdie. It turned out beautifully. Never mind the twigs. The bird stands out!

:)

yellowdoggranny said...

I love it and want to see it finished.

Kokopelli said...

Great bird drawing and thanks for sharing your progress! I got myself a new set of colored pencils and still need to really try them.

The Captain said...

Your art is amazing!