Monday, January 17, 2011

Blackbird Watercolour Sketch


Blackbird Watercolour 6" x 4"

I'm playing around with a postcard format and practising sketching my favourite little model. The reference for this sketch is a beautiful photograph* by Tony Wills of New Zealand and I thank him for permission to use it.

Lately I've been hanging bird feeders; scattering seed; investing in a telephoto lens and (the favourite) getting Pentax Papilio binoculars for Christmas, but the bird models I crave continue to elude me. Thank goodness for generous photographers like Tony Wills and Wikimedia.

I will continue to draw this little fellow until I can do him justice.

A few people are resting their blogs at the moment and I think it's a good time to do the same. See you in 4 or 5 weeks.


* blackbird. Tony Wills. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blackbird_%28male%29.jpg

16 comments:

Suma CM said...

Lovely!

Laura Frankstone said...

So lovely, Robyn. I have always loved the Blackbird theme. Thinking of Wallace Stevens' '13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird:'
"...I do not know which to prefer,/The beauty of inflections/Or the beauty of innuendoes,/The blackbird whistling/Or just after. ."

the Beatles's song, and the Brad Mehldau version of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw-X5GTiYGw

Enjoy your fallow time, dear heart.

Xoxo,
Laura

Li Ferreira Nhan said...

great watercolor!
the birds are excellent sources of inspiration!
good rest!

Cathy Gatland said...

Hmm, postcard practice, good idea! ;) Beautiful blackbird, I see no injustice - have a great time out Robyn!

Unknown said...

Beautiful painting, you have certainly done the blackbird just in this one.

Enjoy the break.

Making A Mark said...

I was just thinking exactly the same thing Cathy!

I love the little informal frame he sits against.

Robyn (now there's another bird!) - I've just been spotting great apps to do with birds on ipad - and not the angry variety.

sue said...

Fabulous bird! I love this--great job, Robyn!

Enjoy your time off--look forward to whatever comes when you return.

Liz Steel said...

LOVE everything about this!

Robyn Sinclair said...

Thank you all, I'm greatly encouraged. :)

Katherine I have the 'Chirp!' App on my iPod Touch. Would love to hear about others.

My tip is that the postcard format is going to become very popular over the next year or so ;)

Felicity Grace said...

Oh, I love this Robyn!

Joan said...

Great job on this little creature. I can just picture you standing with your binoculars at one of those lovely views in your town. Enjoy your break!

caseytoussaint said...

I think you have already done him justice, but I look forward to new ones.

Unknown said...

So cool!

Desiree's Designs said...

Wonderful bird, beautifully done!

Unknown said...

real nice stuff

Joan Y said...

I really love the splotches! The pose is perfect! We don't have blackbirds here but we do have mynah birds and they look very similar. These look like they'd have lots of character. :)

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