Peach-Crested Hawk and the Harmony Finch
Each 2.5″ x 3.5″, Copic markers,Microns pens, Signo Uniball gel pen
Ok, not that strange. But I don’t believe hawks or finches actually come in these colors. Also, they came out so much better than I expected they would!
I did start out with a photo of a finch for the basic shape and pose for the right one, and I think it was also a small bird for the left one, but then I found a photo of a hawk for the head (though it changed some). I am in awe of people who have the skills to illustrate realistic birds and I really thought I’d be rubbish at it (though I’ve done some decent birds in the past).
The feathers, which took a lot of figuring out, are not bad! I wouldn’t call this realistic exactly, but kinda neat regardless.
So, I’ve got loads of un-posted cards and I’m trying to decide which ones to post, and how many per post. I find when I visit people, if they have too many images in one post, I can’t appreciate them all that way.
I’m also trying to figure out whether shorter posts are better, and how many emails to subscribers is too many. Maybe I could post more often but only email every other one (with 2 in the email)? (All opinions on these matters are welcome! Comment below or feel free to drop a line to cindy@theslumberingherd.com.)
One more thing! A BIG thank you to my blog friend Efi Maryeli who featured my work on her blog.
Thanks for stopping in! Progress pics below!
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These are gorgeous, Cindy. How do you achieve a smooth blend with markers when switching colors? I personally think one post a day is good. Maybe two per day. But any more than that annoys me because they fill up my email box and I can’t read them all. I only post two to three times a week due to a busy schedule.
Thanks, Jill! I seem to get the smoothest blend by adding many layers. I should probably use the colorless blender more, but I usually don’t. I like the effect of adding a bit of depth with more color. (At this point I have quite a few colors!)
I don’t think I’d want to do one email every day. But maybe twice a week, regardless of whether I make more than two posts. I know that people get a lot of junk in their mailboxes these days. It seems like a good compromise. Also, it’s always a little sad when someone unsubscribes. I wonder if there’s any way to offer a once-a-month subscription for those who prefer it. Hmm!
I only post once a week because that’s all the time I have for it, and it gives me something to look forward to doing. Nice birds! I especially like the finch.
Beautiful birds, with character!
I love the speckles on the finches breast, and the color blending of pink-orange-yellow.
Re frequency of posts; I am always glad to see s/g from you in my email. I usually only check in the morning, cuz I’m on the computer all day at work and it’s the last thing I want to look at when I get home. It’s always a nice surprise to see an email from you in the morning cuz I know it will be s/g bright and cheery and a little bit quirky – goes well with coffee to jumpstart my day!
REALLY nice job with the feathers! Lots details…..I need to study them for myself since its one of the hardest things to paint and get acurate. Like them a bunch!
I love the birds! There is actually a purple finch that yours reminds me of.
I like to post twice a week. I feel it gives me enough pressure to create, but not be overwhelming. I don’t think an e-mail per post is too much. I agree that too many images in one post makes it hard to appreciate them individually. I think 2-4 per post is nice.
First of all you’re welcome!!!
Secondly, I personally prefer one post in each email because I may loose the second one (too many little people around here to help me keep a straight head ;))
Oh!!! I forgot the third one!!! Neat birds!!! I love them!!!
Wonderful bird work, Cindy! I love that these are still very much your style but they also have an element of realism to them too. Really nice :)
I’m really loving the way you blended the colors on the finch! Such a pretty palette!
I don’t mind lots of pictures in one post. I get a ton of email, so the fewer individual messages, the better for me.
Great birds! I love the difference between the steps 6 and 7 on the Finch, the blend on the belly sure pops out.
Well, I’m not subscribed as I get enough mails already and I follow too many blogs to be able to read them all and comment on them. Which is sad because I know how good it feels to receive comments and know that you are not writing into the void (not that you’d have this problem :).
I agree about not having too many pictures in one post.
Nice bird illustrations. I particularly like the yellow bird on the right. It looks like it is just about to take off.
Well not that I’m prejidiced but I think your birds are beautiful!! Love, Mom PS Have you ever seen “Painted Buntings”-they come from the Carolinas to Fl. for a short time during winter-their colors are magnificent!!
Great characters in your birds, they look like they will take no nonsense!
I think once or twice a week posting sounds good without them being too long or with too many different pictures. If the pictures are related to each other as in your posts it’s fine, but if someone posts a load of unrelated pictures they lose me for that post, I’m afraid.
Don’t stop your progess pics though as they are fascinating and informative!
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The birds are splendiferous and your progress pics are always fascinating. I like the way you make the backgrounds colorful, but just vague/unfocused/misty-ish enough to give the scene believable depth.
Cheers! :)