Finished Stage of The Pileated Woodpecker
June 8, 2014 § 4 Comments
I haven’t posted for awhile, but finally am finishing the drawing of a Pileated Woodpecker feasting on bugs from a dead tree stump. The last stage involved watercolor washes to support the line drawing or the contour. This stage shows gradations of colored pencil to provide a more subtle clarity to the picture and some pen & ink to allow for more drama. It is a riot of color now as the orange leaves swirl about the bird. I am working with this type of mixed media to spur me towards a more free approach. I still have a ways to go!! Any advise or input would be welcomed!
Dr. Mary McNaughton and Drawing 
I have only seen two of these my whole life in the Mt. Hood Wilderness. They can do some serious damage to a house. Beautiful creatures and lovely art 🙂
I appreciate the feedback; I’ve done more blending of the feathers so they support the shapes of the wing, back, breast, and lower areas instead of acting as separate entities. Amazing bird with an awesome call; a rather prehistoric shriek!
Mary very nice work i love everything about it i also love the colors and fathers 🙂
Jake, thanks for the encouraging words. I’m pairing watercolor with drawing to work on a looser approach. Still a ways to go!!