Friday, 23 October 2026

Friday Face OFF -- Feathered Friends

For today's Friday Face OFF link party
of art featuring faces, hosted by Nicole of


I just started a pen & wash class yesterday
entitled "Feathered Friends." I took a previous class
from the same Edmonton artist (Valdis Gislason) called
"Whimsical Creatures" which I posted about here.

The first class of "Feathered Friends" was
pretty whimsical too, although we will apparently
be doing more realistic birds in future classes.


We weren't using real watercolour paper -- just
heavy bond paper -- so that's why it looks buckled.


This next, particularly weird-looking bird
is based on a wire sculpture
as interpreted by Valdis!


I hope you enjoy all these
imaginative birds with their goofy faces!

[Art & Photos of Art © Debra She Who Seeks, 2026]

56 comments:

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Great job, Debra. You have already exceeded my level of proficiency!

Gene Black said...

Happy Friday. I love the blue bird and the last one.

Tom said...

I'd been happy to stick with whimsical, they look great to me!!!

Rade said...

These are very cool! Great job!

Moving with Mitchell said...

You have so many talents. A wonderful way with whimsy.

Val Ewing said...

I think I love the whimsical more than real birds hands down! They are so fun!

Parnassus said...

Hello Debra, All of your birds are perfect to be animated. If they are talking birds, I can already imagine their voices.
--Jim

Bob said...

I like the whimsy. I love the "Wire Bird."

Iris Flavia said...

FUN! The last one is my fav - looks like I feel!
No. I love them all!

Boud said...

These are a lot of fun. I like the gormless expressions! How'd I get here stuff. Are there more?

Sixpence Notthewiser said...

Ohhhh
I especially enjoyed the second batch! Hey, I just realized I like whimsical birds!

XOXO

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Boud -- There are 3 more classes between now and mid-November so yes, I'll probably be posting more Feathered Friends!

My name is Erika. said...

These whimsical birds are adorable Debra. That sounds like a super class and I can't wait to see what else you create.

whkattk said...

I think the Bluebird is my favorite!
The last one is really fun, though.

Lisca said...

I'm doing a drawwing course but I'm nowhere near as good as you! Kudos!
Enjoy your weekend,
Lisca

Pixie said...

Lovely and very well done.

Kathy G said...

I can see those whimsical birds making a regular appearance in the blog.

Ms. Moon said...

Ah! So we were both working on birds this week! I love the whimsical ones. You've captured personalities well! (And of course birds have personalities.)

NanaDiana said...

OMG- I LOVE the wire bird rendering. It reminds me of how my hair looks some days. lol. Happy weekend- xo Diana

ellen abbott said...

Looks like a fun class.

Ellen D. said...

Love them!

bobbie said...

They are adorable!! Good job, girl!
bobbie

RedPat said...

These are fabulous. You are a talent Debra.

The Rev. Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

That looks fun! I love all your whimsical feathered friends. Happy FFO!

Diaday said...

What a fun class! Love the whimsy in your feathered friends.

an artist reflects said...

Oh delight feathered friends creations ~ they make me smile ~
Hugs ^_^

Carola Bartz said...

Debra, I love all of these birds! So much fun. I once did a class where we put a watercolor "blob" on the paper and then used a pen to make birds out of the blobs. I enjoyed that very much.

Leanna said...

DUCKIES! This is so cute. Gave me a warm fuzzy feeling or maybe I need to shave my legs.

Fundy Blue said...

I love these beautiful, whimsical birds, Debra! Well done!

Linda Sue said...

Inspired by Valdis is absolutely frame worthy. Your art is so pleasing - it requires good paper!. If this is just playing around for you, I must say, you have mad skills woman! Use good paper in the future no matter what the class is doing. Your art deserves it.

DB Stewart said...

So much personality!

e said...

Love your whimsical wacky birds!

Tundra Bunny said...

Your whimsical birdies are great! I especially like how you did the legs & feet on the last one. I can see Mary Engelbreit 's influence on the black crow with the orange flowers, but the yellow beak and tail feathers are all yours, LOL! Imagine what you could do with Blue-footed Boobies or Puffins!

Janie Junebug said...

I love your adorable birds!

Love,
Janie

Anonymous said...

Oiseaux issus du paradis de l’imagination :)
Monsieur Dupuis 🇨🇦

roentare said...

Your drawings are fabulous. That motivates me to start learning about it

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Thanks for sharing these Debra. Did they just come from your head like doodles or were you looking at some pictures of birds?

DVArtist said...

Looks like you are having fun with this. That purple bird is way too cute. And the last one!!!! Would love to see these in real life. Ha ha ha. Thank you for sharing with FFO and have a great weekend.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Yorkshire Pudding -- We were following templates of the instructor's style. The ultimate goal is to design our own.

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Oh Debra, I love all of these! They made me smile, and I am so glad you are having fun with it!

angela said...

They’re so cute.
I do like whimsical

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

These were all fantastic. My favorite was the last one with the wire.

Happy FFO.

Lady M said...

What a creative bunch of fun birds. Reminds me of this https://youtu.be/GNpIOlDhigw?si=-oMMvaNk1vr3b5Ec

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Lady M -- Alas, the video will not play in Canada.

River said...

I love the birds. Any buckling of the paper doesn't show online.

Kirk said...

I did enjoy these birds.

Duni said...

Your whimsical birds look amazing, Debra! Did you color them with markers?

roughterrain crane said...

Your birds are unique and vivid.

Zoolatry said...

Hi, June and Ann here, from the Mad Hatter Tea Party ... we did not see any of your delightful and whimsical birds flying around the garden, but oh my, they would have been welcome! What wonderful and enjoyable watercolor art you've done ... and a quick thanks while we're here, for stopping by to visit us, love meeting new friends.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Duni -- The birds were drawn using a permanent black ink pen, but painted in watercolours.

Lady M said...

Just google Portlandia Put a Bird on It.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Lady M -- Hahahahahaha, inspirational!

lissa said...

Those are cute drawings and yes, whimsical.

Have a lovely day.

The Happy Whisk said...

I love, love, love when you share your art with us!!!!!!

baili said...

I absolute LOVED these dear friend Debra !!!!!!!
i love birds and love seeing photos and paintings of them ,but your art has such a sweet and delightful vibe that lifts up the spirit ,hats off to your very pretty birds :)

kwarkito said...

Ces oiseaux sont particulièrement réjouissants. Bravo !