DrawWithMike.net

PEREGRINE FALCON by RON (member: RonT)

Ron sent me this drawing, along with its reference, to ask for my comment. Well.... it's really well studied and very close to the reference. And that's not an ideal approach.

It is not, however, a perfect copy, so that's definitely in its favour. Ron has obviously interpreted most of what he could see but, in my opinion, not taken that concept quite far enough.

The treatment of the feathers is superb. The cuts through the dark bar markings are sufficient to tell us it's a covering of feathers. The markings themselves are again interpreted, but they are sufficiently similar to the reference to make the same sense while not being carbon copies.

The eyes are looking great! Again, because Ron has exaggerated and improved the contrast within them. The highlights and reflections shine more brightly, while still maintaining the feeling of the original.

Where I'd like to see a different approach is in the lighting... This is Ron's drawing on the left, and my suggested changes on the right.

1: This is the shadow cast by the head on the shoulder, so it makes sense for the right-hand side of the head to also be in the shade. The reference does show that, but very subtly, which suggests it was being illuminated by reflected light from outside the photo. Also, your drawing contains values in this shaded area that match the brighter areas. Dull those down to make the shadow more obvious.

2: Restoring the shade on that side of the head improves the roundness of its three-dimensional form. And, coincidentally, brightens the eye's highlight.

3: In the same vein, the top of the folded wing is also lacking solidity and roundness. Restoring it brings it forward, which adds depth to the drawing.

4: Applying the same shading to the breast pushes the wing even further towards us. And allowing a bright highlight to remain along the edge of the wing emphasises the sharp break between wing and body.

5: Then applying the same thinking to this wing, pushes the chest forwards, adding even more depth.

So, I think it's an excellent drawing that just needs more three-dimensional oooommmph!

Even though Ron was fairly free with his interpretation, I think he was too locked in to the reference as far as the lighting was concerned. Ultimately, what matters is your drawing and what it has to say, and not how faithful it might be to the reference.

Awesome!. I am working on a bird right now and feathers are a challenge as is a dark background. Great job, Ron. Great critique, Mike! I'm learning a lot from this beautiful bird.

I've drawn a few birds over the years, and one thing I learned is that feathers are not very visible. Heck, they're not very visible even if I pick up one of our chickens!

So, look at your references. Work out WHY you know you're looking at feathers. It might be the gaps in the bars, as Ron found. It might the rounded ends of the feathers that cast a slight shadow: Or the more ragged ends, such as on the chest above. But it's rare to see fully formed feathers that are entirely visible. For example, if you pick up one of Jenny's Call Ducks and hold it close.... you still can't see individual feathers! So you need to find some other signal. In this case, I used the feathers around the edges of the Red-tailed Hawk's body to say "feather", and the scruffy ends between the legs, because there are none fully visible on the chest.

Your two drawings are stunning examples of how to treat feathers Mike. Feathers, like hair or fur, come in many shapes and textures and are equally challenging, in my opinion.

Ron, your peregrine falcon is superb! Mike’s keen eye and expert use of light and shadow bring your drawing to the next level!

Thank you so much, Mike. I am also working on a bird -- actually my second one. The first one is hiding in the trash. Your insights and comments for Ron have been very helpful. My biggest issue was achieving a black background which neither a 10B nor a Conte could give me. I must have done something wrong.

That Cockatoo of mine had layers of: 6B then 2B, then fixed with a WORKABLE fixative. That was repeated 3 times.

These days I'd do the same but use HB over 2B instead of 2B over 6B - then fix between layers. A workable fixative dries with a matt finish that takes more graphite.

The first one is hiding in the trash.

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Please never through out your old stuff!!! Don't trash it. Hide it away if you must, but I guarantee in a year or so when you pull it out you will say one of two things:
'Hmmmm, that wasn't as awful as I thought it was,...'
or you will say
'Oh! that is where I went wrong. Now I know how to fix something like that. Isn't it amazing how much I have improved!'

keeping 'failures' is the best way you can judge your progress and what you have achieved

Thanks for all of this great information and conversation surrounding Ron's bird which is very informative! His bird is great! The cakatoo is magnificent. This conversation is beneficial. Birds are harder than fluffy stuff. I am learning a lot, but tucking mine away for now and I will revisit them. In my knitting circle, we have "wips" (works in progress) and sometimes those wips need to be put aside for another day. Thanks so much Ron, Mike and Linda