Blue Winged Kookaburra WIP

[Picasso2]

Hi Everyone
Whilst most people (at least in Australia) are familiar with the Laughing Kookaburra, this Blue Winged Kookaburra is restricted to the far north of the continent. On a recent trip to the small town of Kununurra in the north of Western Australia, we were extremely lucky to get a closeup photo of this inquisitive little fellow.
I have drawn him with StabiloCarbOthello pastel pencils on Art Spectrum Colorfix pastel paper and would appreciate any advice as to what more might need to be done to improve him and whether anything else needs to be done to the branch and background.
Thanks
Jean

[Mike Sibley]

What a beautiful bird!!!! And an equally lovely drawing.

I photographed a couple of Kookaburras about 40 years ago (here in a bird garden in the UK) and have wanted to draw them ever since. I still haven't - but this has reminded me I really should.

You've captured the character wonderfully, as well as the essence of the bird itself, Jean.

As for improvement... There's not much needed - if anything. The only thing that bothers me is the branch, because it's floating in space. I think you can get away with one end just stopping - but not both. On the other hand, while extending the right-hand end off the paper might solve the problem, it would introduce another, as my eye might follow it off the page. So, my first thought was to introduce a leaf to cover the broken end, but that might look contrived. Now I'm thinking a deliberately broken spur at that edge would work. It would suggest the branch is attached to a tree, and the spur would direct the eye back in, directly to the bird. That's easier to say than explain... so... like this:

JEAN-Kookaburra1.jpg

It's just a suggestion. OH! WOW!!!!! I just accidentally hit AUTO-LEVELS and found this:

JEAN-Kookaburra2.jpg

If that's closer to your original, it's wildly more successful than I thought it was previously!

[Picasso2]

That's exactly the sort of feedback I was wanting, Mike, as the branch definitely worried me, but I wasn't sure of the best way to fix it. Also, it's amazing the difference your AUTO-LEVELS adjustment made to the kookaburra . Unfortunately my colours are nowhere near that vibrant, so I think a bit more work is required on him as well!
I'm amazed that you have kookaburras in the UK - doubt that it is this species however, as this one is only found in the tropics and probably wouldn't be too happy in the UK winter!!
Thanks so much for your advice
Jean

[Mike Sibley]

That viewing at the Harwood House bird garden was the only time I've ever seen a Kookaburra. Two, in fact. And I was immediately struck by their lovely character. So, I have always intended to draw them, but never had the opportunity. Now I might write a "TEXTURES: Feathers" video just so I have that excuse!

I almost rolled Auto-Levels back a bit, but then decided that your drawing might really be that vibrant. In any case, it showed me that there was much more to your drawing than your photo was displaying.

I'm glad you agree about the "floating" branch. It's definitely a distraction. And one that knocks any sense of reality from your drawing.

[Laurene]

I love the way you have the light hitting the top of the kookaburra’s heads, as well as the back of his neck and top of his wings. That lighting is repeated in the branch and I can get a real feel of the bird in its environment. Some of the branch colours are repeated on the head and under the tail, and that gives it a wonderful cohesiveness, again blending the bird with its environment. Really well done! They must be magnificent birds to see in real life!!

Mike, extending the branch off the paper but adding 5hat bit of broken branch to redirect our gaze is brilliant! Works perfectly!

[Picasso2]

Definitely hope that you act on your inspiration for a feathers video, Mike. I have added the broken spur on the branch and increased the colour in the kookaburra as, although he was much brighter than my photo showed, he definitely wasn't as vibrant as your correction.
Thanks also for your comments, Laurene. Although they aren't overly large birds (compared to something like an eagle)and are slightly smaller than the more common Laughing Kookaburra, they are very distinctive because of the vibrant blue colour of their feathers. This was actually the only time we have seen any as they are not found in the southern part of Australia and amazingly one was in the gardens of the apartment at which we were staying on a recent visit to the Kimberley region. Fortunately he was very obliging and stayed around long enough to have his photo taken!

[LindasPencils]

You caught the character of the Kooka well, Jean. Another fine drawing from you!
The one thing I have found with Carbethellos is that they can seem a bit on the dull side. Especially when trying to use them to cover a dark paper. I would suggest that if you want to 'brighten' the hues you use some lighter, soft pastels. Bright white, maybe a cream and a bright blue, etc. Art Spectrum is good and not too soft. Sennelier is even better, very soft but not cheap. You wouldn't need much, a few dashes here and there.
Have fun!

[Picasso2]

Thanks for the very helpful comments, Linda. I have attempted to put into practice your suggestions and added some Schminke white and some Art Spectrum brighter blue, but not sure whether I should add more. Also that is an interesting point about the colour of the paper. What do you think would have been a better choice for this subject?
I have just posted a new photo of the kookaburra with the changes , so would welcome further comments as to what else may be needed.