16 January 2009

Pale



A week or so ago, I was walking along the Rattlesnake, and a pale blue-grey heron flew past. Naturally, everything was frozen over...and where the ice wasn't so thick, and where there was no snow...the creek looked a pale seafoam green, but I chose to draw the heron flying over warm waters...

23 comments:

Ces Adorio said...

Hello Catnapping. How are you? Don't land on the figid water, fly away!

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

I just love looking at your pale bird against the soft cold blue background. Great illustration.

studio lolo said...

I love herons. Reminds me of my mother who was from New Brunswick...people were called herons there.

This is a beautiful image. Spiritual, even ;)
XX

Teri said...

What a wonderful composition and image! perfect for 'pale'.

Unknown said...

Stunning work, Ms. Cat!

Perhaps putting the heron over the warm sea is a silent wish for Spring? If so, Alex (who is tired of not being able to go outside and cat around because of the cold) and I join you in that hope for Spring.

Bimbimbie said...

I'm a little behind with returning my hello to you Catnapping after your recent visit to me...your image is lovely, serene and peaceful comes to mind*!*

Patia said...

Way cool illustration. I love herons.

Steve Bates said...

A few years ago, a Great Blue lived near the bayou next to my home. Almost every day, I found real joy in watching it go about its daily activities.

Then one day it was gone. The bayou, always the picture of life abundant, just didn't seem the same. So don't forget the lesson...

Heron today, gone tomorrow.

Ginnie said...

Your rendition of the heron is lovely. You're lucky to live where they are...and thanks for commenting on my blog. It's always nice to find a new blogger friend and I will return to yours often.

Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said...

Very cool!

Cindy said...

Very nice indeed. I think a river named "Rattlesnake" is always going to provide creative inspiration.

Love the heron!

laughingwolf said...

my thoughts, too... stay off the uncertain ice :)

Archaeopteryx said...

Gorgeous. Just gorgeous. I'd hang that in my living room--where do I go to buy it?

Kim de Young said...

Beautiful image... so peaceful and expert handling of composition, texture and negative space...

Sandra said...

Love the colours that you have used, Herons are such beautiful birds and you have illustrated it perfectly.

valerie walsh said...

Very, very beautiful! Lucky to see this :)

Catnapping said...

thank you for comments.

the heron was actually made digitally. i drew a straight (very wide) line with my vector tool...in white.

then i used the warping tool to contract, expand, and push in places to make the shape of the bird in pieces...the head, belly, and tail were in one line...and the wings were separate, etc...

and then i used the manual selection tool to "cut" out angles to make the appearance of feathering.

then i just used the mouse to draw the eye, brow, and head feathers.

the background was colours, noise, softening...and moving it around...

i made a sketch of this heron soon after i'd seen him, but i couldn't seem to transfer him to my photoshop, and he needed real cleaning.

thank you so much for coming by. i'll be visiting soon.

Oberon said...

.....i invite you to join globalove think tank.

*jean* said...

your birds are wonderful....great blog!

soulbrush said...

what a wonderful image.

Mrs. R said...

Your illustration is graceful and so calming. Echoing the Princess, I like the use of negative space.

° said...

like your use of negative space and the composition you created.

Sandy said...

Well, I'm last to the party again and it seems every wonderful thing about your illo has already been said but you know how I feel about your work...it is fabulous.

I love the birds you draw and you draw them so well...being a Cat I guess that is to be expected.

Sandy

p.s. the word verification for my response is "chick" I kid you not.

S