For this week's Friday Face OFF link party
of art featuring faces, hosted by Nicole of
DVArtist, Art, Food, Gardening blog . . .
Here's a kingfisher
done in watercolour pencils.
The instructor said it must be
a young fledgling bird because
of how large its head is
in comparison to its body.
I think he's a cutie
and I'm happy with how
this turned out.
I must admit that I've never
been a major bird fancier
(although I do have my favourites),
but I've done so many birds
in art classes now that
I am actually developing a
real fondness for them.
I know a lot of YOU
are birders though!
If you are, please tell us
why or how you got
involved in this popular pastime!
[Art & photo of art © Debra She Who Seeks, 2023]
He really is 🥰 I suppose we don't have this bird here.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend 🌞
Now this might be one of my favorite ones you've done. And he had another if it was framed I'd probably hang it in my house. Well you know I love birds. I think I got involved in birding when I lived in my apartment. I just tested putting loose birdseed out on my window sills. And voila within months I must have had upward of 16 variety visiting my window sills eating right on the Sills as you've seen pictures. It was amazing. I've been hooked since.
ReplyDeleteWe had a nice property in Connecticut and got into feeding the birds, having about a dozen different types of feeders. That took us to the Audubon shop in the next village for supplies. We got to know the owner. He led free bird walks. We joined him and were hooked. Midnight owl prowls were magical. We bought every birding book we could find. It was a great part of the world for bird watching.
ReplyDeleteWe've got lots of birds around Casa Bob y Carlos but my favorites are the glorious red Cardinals; they visit the feeders and even perch along the deck railings as the sun comes up.
ReplyDeleteI love the eyes on your kingfisher.
Kingfishers are such cool birds. And they're cheeky too. You've captured that spirit in this fabulous drawing Debra. Have a super weekend. hugs-Erika
ReplyDelete...kingfishers seem to have bad hair days, I can relate.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great bird with nice colors. I'm not a birder, but I appreciate seeing a pretty one in my backyard or looking at a good drawing or painting and yours certainly falls in that category.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Your instructor is wrong - all kingfishers have huge heads compared with their bodies. I am a birder for 40+ years.
ReplyDeleteWow! You are such an accomplished artist. Thank you for sharing with FFO and have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely, loose drawing, thanks for sharing it. Like a lot of people I first took an interest in birds when at home with a young baby. now and then I needed something to keep me going through the boredom and grind of childcare, no matter how beloved the child. And, since we were living in a tree-filled section of the Eastern flyway, there were plenty to see right at the house.
ReplyDeleteWonderful piece, kingfishers are such beautiful birds. Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteLove!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful and the strokes look just like feathers!
Now I want a bird feeder.
XOXO
This looks terrific!
ReplyDeleteNot a bird watcher, but love the cute fluffy head.
ReplyDelete@ Lady M -- Thanks for that info about kingfishers! Now I know!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent Kingfisher sketch ~ Wow!
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
This is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHello Debra, Your juvenile kingfisher is adorable. Some adults have bright blue feathers which have been traditional in Asia for inlaying in jewelry, but of course I would not buy anything new that uses animal parts as decoration. Taiwan is a birdwatcher's hotspot because it is on several migration paths, and even in the park in front of my building all kinds of birds show up. --Jim
ReplyDeleteReally great image Debra - love the punky hair style.
ReplyDeleteI think he is the loveliest kingfisher ever
ReplyDeleteYour very talented indeed
This is very lovely! The colour pallet is light and springlike.
ReplyDeleteLove your Kingfisher..big head or not..It's just that his head is closer to you!!
ReplyDeleteI started an interest of sorts with birds because of the bird feeder just outside my kitchen window and the fact that I take pictures all the time..just kind of evolved..Don't like painting them though..No fur, feathers, or faces...
That is a beautiful job, Debra. Love it. I always enjoyed birds but retirement gave me time to pursue the hobby.
ReplyDeleteI put up bird feeders to reach my grandchildren they should be responsible for more than themselves, and to give them something to do, filling feeders. Then we bought more kinds of feeders and attracted more birds. We got involved with bird cunts. We fed summer and winter, and traced feeding parents back to their nests.
ReplyDeleteYour kingfisher is adorable, Debra! I'm not a formal birder, but I've loved birds all of my life. There were so many bird lovers on both sides of my family that I had no choice but to be one. I'm glad that you are developing a fondness for them! Happy Friday! xox!
ReplyDeleteI think it is a fine portrait.
ReplyDeleteWhat are your favorite birds?
I am happy with this one too! It looks like a kingfisher. We used to see them, especially in the winter. They live by the river. There is no other bird like them. They have a unique sound that they make, too. I would recognize that sound instantly, if I hear it again, which is not likely.
ReplyDeleteThe thing about birds for me, is that they are so different from us but we share the same world. I never get tired of their beauty. Me personally, they also have spiritual aspects. I have never met a boring bird. I love birds.
@ Old Lurker -- My most favourite bird is the prairie meadowlark with its beautiful song. I also love robins, red-winged blackbirds, chickadees, hummingbirds, loons and barn swallows. I'm fond of corvids too -- ravens, crows, magpies although none of them are noted songsters.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought of Kingfishers as having big heads compared to the rest of their body, by all the photos I've seen. Maybe they look different in person. Anyway, It's a very lovely painting.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely incredible. You draw SO well. I know cardinals and robins, so UI will never be a birder,
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely stunning, Christine. He is beautiful -- a good face is so hard to do. I love it. (And thanks for coming by my blog!)
ReplyDeleteHe is a cutie!
ReplyDeleteI think Lady M's favorite bird is the crow. 😊
ReplyDeleteI like your skillful artwork.
ReplyDeleteHe's delightful.
ReplyDeleteIf I was a bird, I would want to be a shade of blue.
ReplyDeleteOh, I really like that one! Especially its eye.
ReplyDeleteI took an ornithology class in college which lead to a casual interest in bird observation. I reserve bird-watching as a term for the hard core folks. I just like knowing the names of things I run across during my day.
ReplyDeleteYou've rendered his beady little eyes perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI've never been a birdwatcher, though I did have to do a boreal forest bird song survey on a summer job back in my university days. My favourite was a little Yellow Warbler who waited for me every morning at 4:30 AM to sing his little heart out -- guess he really wanted to be counted, LOL!
I love your kingfisher! The look in his eye is perfect.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a birder but I love birds. I like any who come to my yard - including the blue jays and the crows with their raucous voices. I like the little fellows, the wrens and chickadees and sparrows - always so busy. I love the song of the western meadowlark. It's like liquid. They are also the state bird where I live.
Your art is so warm and approachable.
Deb, he is absolutely adorable!!
ReplyDeleteI remember as a kid seeing my Aunt and Uncle watching birds with binoculars and they had all these coffee table bird books. In my mind, this was boring OLD PEOPLE stuff. LOL
Well, here I am! I think It just slowly evolved for me with having some bird feeders in my yard and wanting to please my bird guests. :)
Great work!
ReplyDeleteyou are really getting better...need to have a showing.
ReplyDeletei felt about to cry that i missed that post dear Debra :(
ReplyDeleteOh mY this is one of the MOST STUNNING beauties i ever saw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
incredibly done
,blue is my favorite and bird is my favorite as well and both done by master like you leave me spellbound !
hats off to you my dear friend ,you really touch hearts with your magical art believe me .i would have ask for the painting if i was close to you so be grateful lady :)HUGS
They are such beautiful birds
ReplyDeleteDebra, this bird is terrific. I'm so impressed.
ReplyDelete