I was going call this post 'Old World Vultures' as I really like how that sounds, but to be honest, I'm not sure what the difference is between Old and New World Vultures. I think the vulture at the top is from North or South America (probably 'Old World') and the bird below is an African Fish Eagle (probably 'New'). I'm too much of a bird brain myself to work it out!
Drawing that turkey before Christmas is what set me off. I was watching some fabulous programmes about birds in flight and one followed the Condor. (And really followed, with camera atttached on it's back!) Well, I always assumed Condors were eagles, beautiful and majestic, but seeing one up close, they looked very ugly, like turkeys on testosterone! So, naturally, I had to do some digging around on the differences between eagles and vultures...That's what I love about drawing, it opens your eyes to all sorts of things you think you know and have seen but actually you don't see at all until you draw them!
Drawn with HB and B pencils in my 6x8" Winsor & Newton journal (post showing similar here).
10 comments:
These are wonderful! I like your sentiment about how drawing opens ones' eyes. It certainly does! I like the fresh, cleanness of this piece. It would be very striking hanging in a den or a study.
I can see the beginning of a bird obsession.
Beautiful rendering, Felicity. I think I saw the same TV documentary. Absolutely incredible close up images.
And yes, drawing really removes a veil not only from the eyes but also the brain.
Beautifully drawn, Felicity! It's refreshing to see some graphite drawings and yours are always a joy. Those birds naturally look so fierce, don't they? It's the beaks, I think! Had a look at your post on the W & N sketchbooks too ... interesting, they look good.
Thanks Katherine! That's a nice idea. I tend to draw everything in sketchbooks and never think to hang anything.
Robyn, yes, definitely could be obsessed with birds, they are so fascinating!
Thanks Janet! I think it's also that built in frown in the skull too!
Beautiful sketches, I love the old illustration look they have on the paper... I agree with Katherine, they would really good hanging up on display. Great study to of teh two different looks they have, two very majestic birds, yet so different looks to them. Great work!!!
They're beautiful, Felicity! You do such lovely art. I enjoy drawing birds too. I also love researching my subjects too. Did you know that vultures are present on every continent except Australia and Antarctica?
Thanks Mari and Serena!
Serena, no I didn't know that - it surprises me that there aren't any in Australia. I guess some other predator took that niche?!
You've captured "that" look that "top of the pyramid" predators have.
Just awesome!
Cheers,
Cindy
Thanks very much, Cindy!
Word of warning - I've given you a blogger award so you may see an uptick in readership. Don't let it rattle you! Check it out here: http://idahobeautyquilts.blogspot.com/2012/03/warning-awards-ceremony-ahead.html
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