nuthatch

[birdlover]

Here is my latest. Any suggestions on the branch. I was somewhat satisfied. I didn't know what else to do with the background. I bit scared to touch it because I liked the bird. CC welcome.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/21-Dec-2009/115982-nuthatchredbreased_658_x_535.jpg

[Chopperchick]

Hey! i'm new to scratch board, and i think your bird looks good! I love the color. My only suggestion on the branch would be to make a lot of lines in different directions to make it look more like bark. but i understand it's kinda scary to touch it cause the bird looks great.

[PatrickHedges]

My only suggestion on the branch would be to make a lot of lines in different directions to make it look more like bark. but i understand it's kinda scary to touch it cause the bird looks great.
The bird is super but despite how scary it might be to touch it, you need to work on the branch otherwise it detracts from the bird. My suggestion is look through this thread (http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=534115) on 'natural elements'. You can find things like this in the sticky thread at the top of the forum called "Close-Up Study Thread".

I noticed in the study thread that there is some wood but you could look at the antlers in it and see some techniques that could be used for branches too.

[objectivistartist]

This is quite a different view of the nuthatch, as it is usually seen facing down on the trunk of a tree... very interesting :thumbsup:

[jeniart]

The bird is great and actually looks like an embroidery piece. Bark is quite easy to do (it must be because I managed it on my fox portrait!)here's a link http://wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=591361&page=2 . I would just apply some ink or even marker pen and re-scratch in the texture. If you do it lightly to begin with and it doesn't look right just go over it again with ink/marker and try again. Perhaps its best to try it out on a practice board first.

[Bonniecat]

The bird looks great. Nicely colored too. The suggestions you have been given are all good and I can't add anything to them . I do think color would be appropriate here since the bird is so vibrant adding a little color to the branch would not distract from it. Please do post an update, this forum has been so helpful to me that I know if you follow the advice of the others it will only make an already good work excellent.
Bonnie

[Diana Lee]

The bird is wonderful, but I am afraid I cannot help you with the bark. Thankfully there are some great bark people here to help. And, no, I am not calling some of you dogs.

Diana

[Trilby]

Only thing I have to add to the good advice already given is to use a fiber brush if you have one as it makes good bark. Until you resolve the branch the piece won't look finished and your well done bird deserves to sit on a finished branch. Love the coloring and the scratching on the bird is well done.
TJ

[Garbonzo]

You've done a very nice job on the Nuthatch. While they do spend a great deal of time on tree trunks looking for food they also sit on limbs. I think you need to work on your limb so that you can learn new things. No pain, no gain, so to speak. Here is one way a limb can look, they are all different. Have fun and try something new, I have learned much more from my failures than my successes.
This is just an opinion, hope you don't mind. :D
464463

[birdlover]

You are all quite right. That bird does need a better branch to sit on. I'll reink and try it out and post it when I finish. I guess if I don't work on background I'll never get better with it. Thanks for all the advice.

[birdlover]

Oh yes this is an 8x10 and the photo is from the reference library by Dave Slaughter.

[Bonniecat]

Just checking in on your work. In my estimation Harold is one of the best in back ground scratch. I am so glad to see he has provided you with a sample to look at. I think your bird would look great on a branch like this one. Hope to see your follow up posts.
Bonnie

[birdlover]

Ok I've done some work on it. I followed Harold's example. So I pulled out my electric eraser, scapel, sepia clayboard ink, and a little wire tool I made from a Harold instruction on tools. So here you go. I think it looks alot better. I put a few little yellow dots out in space there thinking I might add some fire flies. What do you think should I spruce up the background more or leave it black and just have the audience focus on the bird and branch? Thanks for all of the coaching. This gave me more incentive to try something new.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/23-Dec-2009/115982-nuthatchredbreastedrevised_600_x_479.jpg

[objectivistartist]

Looks great from here.. :thumbsup:

[Harry Seymour]

Wonderful piece.

Harry

[Bonniecat]

What an amazing difference you have accomplished in the branch. It looks just super. It's just me but I preferred it just plain black so I could focus on your bird. Just an opinion though, do what feels right to you.
Bonnie

[jeniart]

Well done Angela - you did a superb job on this and the picture now looks complete:thumbsup:

[RSchafe]

Looks very good with the improved branch! I like your little dots of yellow as they help bring the eye down and back around the branch and bird.

Rich

[PatrickHedges]

That is so much better. I love it now!!!