Next up on the artist’s agenda: a detailed portrait of a
red-tailed hawk. Let the research begin!
A stickler for artistic accuracy, Michael scoured the
internet for pictures of these handsome hawks. And, yes, there are a gazillion red-tailed
hawk images out there….but to find a non-Photoshopped image is like finding a
needle in a haystack...or winning the $590 million Powerball!
Michael started this drawing in April (which was before I
started this blog), but here's what I would've been posting along this portrait's journey. Take a look:
Below is an artist happy with his progress so far! Taped to his drawing board is his photo inspiration (non-Photoshopped!), practice sketches of the feathers and other features, and little yellow sticky notes (for example, "don't get too dark, too fast!")
 |
| The outline is in place! |
Michael started with the feathers in the lower right corner of the picture...but he just wasn't feeling the feathers yet. The "feeling good" artist quickly became a "frustrated" artist. I suggested he move on to another part of the head. The beak...it was a beckoning!
 |
| A little more detail added to the beak and head. |
 |
| A happy artist! |
The eye of any hawk is such a striking feature. I was super excited to see this hawk's eye come to life...
 |
| EYE love it! |
The feathers are falling into place beautifully...
 |
| A closer look... |
 |
| The focused artist at his art table. |
Check back soon to see the final drawing of this amazing portrait!
Tip from an artist's wife who blogs about her hubby's work: Some artists aren't super excited to get their non-finished art photographed...or posted online for the world to see. But, if you flash a nice big smile and say "pleeeease" in your sweetest voice, you just might get the shot!
