Tuesday 30 August 2011

Master of Disguises




The word 'disguise' for Illustration Friday brings to mind the tricks, patterns and colours  used in nature to hide from predators.
I chose a butterfly to illustrate how cleverly animals and insects disguise themselves.  Sometimes they hide from sight, blending in with leaves, wood or rocks, others make themselves conspicious hoping to scare off or deter a predator.  Many species of butterflies are marked with ocelli or false eyes which can mimic a larger animal or divert the attack away from the butterfly's body.  It's  better to have the tip of a wing pecked off rather than your head if you are attacked by a  hungry bird

26 comments:

Gillian Mowbray said...

Some of the IF subjects can be very tricky, as is this one, but as usual you've come up with the perfect interpretation. Beautiful!

bettyfromtexas said...

This is a perfect disguise, indeed! AND just gorgeous, Cathy!!!

Anonymous said...

Such lovely soft watercolour tones!

Reflections said...

Wonderful interpretation... your sketch is beautiful.

Indigene Theresa said...

The colors are so ethereal and lovely!

Studio at the Farm said...

Cathy, you have portrayed this master of disguise, and the "ocelli", wonderfully

Richard Klekociuk said...

Your sensitive portrayal Cathy, shows great respect for your subject.

Ann said...

Beautiful! And a perfect subject too.

Unknown said...

this is truly perfectly rendered.. beautiful !
and seriously brilliant for the topic!

Carin Winkelman said...

Beautiful and so many different colors in one little butterfly!

Cathy Holtom said...

Thank you all for the kind comments :-)

Alex said...

Gorgeous looking butterfly. Beautifully drawn!

A.Marie said...

Beautiful. I love the colors in that butterfly.

Peachtreeart said...

Exquisite!

Unknown said...

Well Cathy, this is just fantastic. I don't know...I have just moved house so I have been without the internet - I could have so easily have missed this and it is beautiful. I would love to be able to paint as well as you.
Great work.
Stew.

Linda Hensley said...

I like this lots. Great answer to this week's prompt!

Artes da Cris said...

Your works are so beautiful!
Congrats and thanks for your visit.

Sarah Melling said...

SO gorgeous! That iridescent quality of butterfly wings is such a difficult thing to capture, and you've done it so well!

debra morris said...

Beautiful work, perfect Cathy!

kazumiwannabe said...

He's so beautiful! You did an incredible job with that iridescent light and fantastic texture!

Teresa said...

Just beautiful!! Light and lovely.

Unknown said...

Lovely one :) and great job on capturing that wonderful butterfly essence :)

nanke's stuff said...

What a great subject you've chosen for this one, and as always, beautifully rendered! nancy

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful,especially the luminescent wings - they seem to shimmer on the page.

Lucia B. said...

Wonderful, Cathy! I admire your accuracy in describing every slight detail of this butterfly, I can feel that you have loved this subject.

Anonymous said...

Just stunning.
Sue