Anyway, it was amazing to draw, and I had to do it quickly so no time to do a detailed watercolour before it started crawling away on its own. Really beautiful little bird, and I couldn't capture the colour of its back, but the feathers were a soft grey blue with hints of lilac. But what amazed me was its claws. Such huge scaly feet and claws for such a little thing. Like some prehistoric keepsake from the old days.
This is a beautiful study Catriona.
ReplyDeleteI believe you've brought him new life, beautiful..
ReplyDeleteLovely studies!
ReplyDeleteI woud have felt like Beatrix Potter doing this the way you did---beautiful job !!!
ReplyDeleteLovely study! (think it's a natural thing for an artist to use this opportunity to draw it)
ReplyDeleteSadly, this poor little bird was probably the victim of a window strike, so many lose their lives that way.
ReplyDeleteThe Nuthatches have the disproportionally large claws as an adaptation of their food gathering behavior. They are commonly seen heading downhill on the trunks of trees, scooping out bugs with that slightly upturned bill.
I was horrified to learn that John James Audubon only drew his illustrations from "specimens"...meaning the birds were hunted and or captured and killed. I'm an avid bird watcher who loves to see them in the wild and alive.
It's heartbreaking, but it's beautiful, and very technical too.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful study! I've wanted to do this several times now, but people around me keep saying how gross it is and talk me out of it!
ReplyDeleteThey are just beautiful, and I think it's a lovely way to celebrate its life! nancy
ReplyDeleteThankyou everyone, and I reckon you should try in Raena, if only to know the detail of one when you try and draw it again in real life. And thanks Jesse for that info on them, and yes I think it was a window kill thank god and not anything else. Unlike places in the Mediterranean where they shoot little birds for sport. Eugh.
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