April 06, 2006

59: Arrivals

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I promise that after this, I'll lay off the birds - but Illustration Friday dammit, sends out a theme of spring and what am I supposed to do? Around these parts, spring doesn't start until the droning exhausts of city plows and the styrofoam crunch of snow underfoot gets replaced by the sound of certain birds not heard from in months. First crows and gulls, then Canada geese, followed by robins, killdeers, ducks and the rest. I heard my first robin this morning outside my bedroom window, and the first killdeer at work this afternoon. The marsh is frozen here at work but that hasn't stopped a thousand geese (or so) from showing up already and beetling each other for the best territory. It's reaffirming to know that it's finally tolerable enough outside for creatures other than parka-clad humans and the occasional chickadee.

This was a quick exercise in making final art directly from a doodle. To be honest, this was an incomplete doodle from a couple of years ago, reborn into this piece. The rough pencil sketch was strengthened, then scanned directly and cleaned up, to a point, where some colour could be added ... albeit quickly, because it's late. And it's spring, and warmer things are on my slowly thawing mind.

17 comments:

trowbridge chronicles said...

You draw very well. I like your unique drawing style. I'll look for you again in IF.

Heartful said...

I love this bird!!

TXArtcGal said...

Awesome job! LOVE the look on the bird's face! VERY nice!

Matt Phelan said...

I really like the look of the pencil line. And great feet.

Jaimie said...

I love your bird! he could be squawking or singing. very cool

Lou said...

Looks like the branch was still a little icy and the bird slipped some. :) Nice job!

Kelli Jensen said...

This is a great bird, looks like a noisy lil guy. It's nice hearing them, unless I'm trying to sleep, then it drives me nuts!

maeengan said...

Looks like he landed on the branch.

Jeope said...

That was my other angle, that he got crotched on the branch. He certainly has that facial expression.

tiffini elektra x said...

I adore this - very well done! Great colors and the expression! Awesome and very unique.

lew! said...

i guess i got bumped off the ill friday emails. Prolly cause i have yet to submit one...

yes jeope the birds are back! (have been about 2-3 weeks for me) And they have been singing when it's sunny. And it has kicked spring fever in on me. I have even heard the occasionally red-winged blackbird (my personal favorite)

So what are the smallish (bigger than a finch smaller than a robin) black birds that have a blue/green/yellow/red sheen to their feathers? They have quite the variety of noises as well.

yeah yeah - drawings good as always. :P

AscenderRisesAbove said...

Too too cute! Love it's determination to sing.

Doug said...

Great birdie!

Angela Matteson said...

Ouch! That had to hurt.
I guess he wasn't light as a feather.
I wonder how he lost his balance?

Todd DeWolf said...

Yes sir-you have birds on the brain. And it looks like your little birdie is yawning. I can relate! Well done Jeope. Cheers!

Jeope said...

Lew, I didn't see your question. The birds you're talking about I think might be starlings. Lots of them in the city, and they make all sorts of noises – and also know how to mimic some other birds too.

Allan Lorde said...

That coloring job is solid, man!