Second Attempt at colored pencil...

[Printmakerguy]

You may recall that I posted my first colored pencil drawing, of a Macaw feather, here a few weeks ago. I was challenged to do a WHOLE bird next, but have not been able to find the time for that yet- I had to go back to work (and I work on a ship), But I did do this closeup of a mitred conure face for a friend of mine. It is about 4" square, Prismacolors on Drafting Film-

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Oct-2006/36273-KiwiColor.jpg
The whole thing
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Oct-2006/36273-KiwiColorCl.jpg
A closeup of the eye area

The scan is a bit washed out in areas- especially the beak- I tried to correct it, but couldn't get it right. I am on a ship now and our scanner is not the best!

I like working with Drafting film when I do Graphite work, and have seen some colored pencil work in the past done on it, so I though that I would give it a try. Overall, I liked it, but it seems to present the same challenges with colored pencil that it does with Graphite- It doesn't seem to like to take too many layers!
I am fairly happy with how it turned out. I am open to all C & C, but be gentle- This is only my second try colored pencil!

-Andrew

[katsarecool]

This is very good! The colors are awesome. Onto #3 I would say!:clap: &:thumbsup:

[Stormgirl]

Being gentle :)

The are around the eye and the red feathers are fantastic! They look really good, very lifelike. The only thing that made me hesitate is the green feathers: I'm not sure why, but they're coming across with less depth than the reds. Maybe try putting in another, darker colour? I can see patches of darker colours, but it seems more forced than natural depth... Maybe someone can explain this better than I can :D

But as a second go it is absolutely lovely - the bright colours are great, and the eye is very well done.

[ArtyLady]

Andrew, this looks great. The eye is wonderful. Now, I'm no expert on CP (you've probably done one more painting than me) but the beak looks a bit washed out (does it need some toning?). Great work though.

[faula]

Very vibrant colours! The beak looks a little flat, but the feathers are very nicely done. I love conures but they are way too loud for me to have one where I live. :p

[Rosa Weitzel]

Very nice bird, your friend will be thrilled. Do you do some pencil work on board ship? Looking forward to seeing more of your pieces.

Rosa

[Katydid15]

This looks good! I love the shine, and the eye is really detailed! :clap:Main critque: I don't know how much darker it is in real life, but I think that the beak could stand to get some warm yellow and faint hints of orange into it. Also, to add more depth to green, a light under layer of red, or reddy-orange, really helps. I wouldn't suggest doing it on top of already laid down green, I tried that once and it got too orangy, so I had to add more green, which you don't always have enough tooth left for if the previous layers weren't made lightly enough.

[Printmakerguy]

Thanks. I will go back and take a look at the beak- It does have more depth in real life, it didnt scan too well, but it is one of the areas that bothers me.

As for some red behind the green- I can probably still pull that one off- it is on drafting film, which is translucent- I might try some on the backside!

-Andrew

[piper2]

Andrew, the ability to work on the back of film is one of its greatest attributes - if you want to see what I mean, add a hint of color to the beak on the back. You'll get a great tint without it being overpowering.

I think this is great for a 2nd or a 5th or a 10th attempt; it's got great style to it and it's obvious that your drawing skills are top notch, which makes everything easier.

[Printmakerguy]

Thanks, Maggie ;)
I am a 'convert' from graphite, so I am not entirely new to drawing... I have been at it for a while, just now in COLOR!

-Andrew

[Diane Cutter]

Just beautiful, Andrew... I love all your birds no matter what medium. You make me want to try out the film! Be sure to show us if you tweak the bill.

Diane

[wet]

Great looking bird. Make sure and show us if you add to the beak. :wave: Wanda

[couturej]

Beautiful colors! :) The eye looks great!

[Minibrush]

Andrew, just read your post in the Miniature forum, so had to drop into the CP forum to see the conure. This is so vibrant. Colors sure project like they do on the ivorine. I have very little experience with CP, but I think this is very strong.

:D Made me grin, though, this mitred conure looks so much like my gold crown (or capped) conure. Are they very loud like mine? VERY LOUD! Here's a pic of Felix. Couldn't get him to give me a profile.

Minibrush

[nogenius]

Hi Andrew,

fun to meet you over here! I have started to plunge into CP, too, although my posts are all in the All-Media-Forum so far because the references are from WDEs.

I like your bird very much, and can only support your trying more CP!

Bye, Marie

[Printmakerguy]

Hi, Marie, and Mini- Yeah, I seem to be bumping shoulders, err, brushes... With people all over WC...

I have really enjoyed jumping in to colored pencils- I have a long way to go, but it is great for me- VERY portable, so it is helpful on the ship!!

Mini- I think that ALL conures are LOUD... This particular one belongs to a friend of mine, who has 30 something MACAWS, so a little conure is hardly noticed in the mix... I don't personally have any conures, But I do have a Severe Macaw, an African Grey, and an Eclectus- So my house is a bit on the loud side at times, too!

-Andrew

[Meisie]

Love it!!! The colours are gorgeous.
Oh they are such beautiful birds...and have such character...all of they from budgies through the parrot family :D
I hope to portraits of your birds next :D

Meisie