Friday 28 January 2011

Passing Through



Not much time this week for painting, but I have been watching these birds settling in a tree along the road.
I particularly like their silhouettes against the grey skies.  Each time I went past they flew off just as I got there, and I thought I would have to draw from them from memory.  But I got lucky, when after waiting for a few minutes they all came back.


The sketchbook I made doesn't fit in my scanner if I use a double spread......I will have to bear this in mind when/if I make another.
The one question I ask myself is why that tree and not one of the many other trees along the road, they've been there for a week, I think they are migratory on their way somewhere?

19 comments:

Sandy in Michigan said...

I have no idea why the birds picked that one special tree, but I'm glad they did and that you saw them! I love this sketch. It must have taken a lot of concentration and time to complete it.

bettyfromtexas said...

How pretty they look silhouetted against the sky!! Wonderful "capture!"

Anonymous said...

That is really gorgeous. Nice that the birds settled back in for you to draw!

Barbara B said...

I also love that bare tree, bird silhouette scene in the winter. Lovely painting.

nanke's stuff said...

I love this! You did a wonderful job capturing all their shapes, and the tree is beautiful. nancy

Em said...

Wow, this is lovely :) I really love the smoky sky behind the tree, and all the different shapes of the birds. Really gorgeous.

Sandra said...

Nice of those birds to pose for you!

jill said...

yours talents are never ending, this is a great drawing.

debra morris said...

Lovely image Cathy, I agree the contrast is great....lucky they came back. I used to have that problem with bigger size sketchbooks, I usually put them together in photoshop but there is a free program on the net called autostitch (I think)which is quite handy

Unknown said...

I thought the top sketch was terrific, but then I scrolled down and saw it the two page spread...wow! I love that spread! Doing the subtle tone in the background really has a wonderful effect!

Sarah Melling said...

I love this...it could translate beautifully into anything from a book cover to a wall mural.

studio lolo said...

i've enjoyed looking through your blog. Wonderful, gentle watercolors.

Um, I don't think I could wear those boots again either! But you've paid them great homage ;)

The birds gather in trees here as well, always at the same time of day. Hundreds of them! Sometimes I nearly drive off the road because I'm looking up in awe!

Vicki Smith said...

This is a lovely image. I feel as if I'm actually there.

Sarah said...

I like this very much - I think it would look good printed on something, cropped as it is. Maybe screen printed onto textiles(a cushion cover? Even a tea towel?) or maybe postcards or greeting cards.

"JeanneG" said...

Good job. I often look at birds sitting on a roof or on a light pole that has part of it looming over the road. The birds are exactly the same distance away from each other. I wondered why but hubby said they leave wing span space. I thought they would be warmer huddled.

Lucia B. said...

Fantastic work!
I also noticed a large quantity of birds all singing loud together last week over the train station of Firenze... I also thought they were migrating, who knows where...
Your drawing expresses very well the unsettling feelings that these phenomena often produce!

Sharon Wagner said...

I just had a friend show me how to merge scans. I had to do it with all my sketchbook pieces. I bet there's someone you know that could teach you. Good luck! And I love your dusty submission. Nothing has more of a story to tell than a pair of worn boots.

Alex said...

Wow that's a lot of birds! On a tree with beautiful branches too =) I love looking at birds in the sky.
You've captured them 'resting' really well.

Joan said...

Kathy: The birds are not migrating yet, that comes in spring and fall. Most migratory birds in the northern hemisphere migrate north in spring to breeding grounds, then head south in fall for winter to warmer climates...following the food sources.

Your painting/sketch appears to be blackbirds who travel in large flocks and feed en masse. Sometimes their numbers are so numerous they can blacken the sky. I love to see them in silhouette like you've depicted in your drawing. I agree, this would make great cards or prints on textiles. I can see a linen tote bag or tea towels. YES!