Although they might look black and white, House Martins have dark brown wings and tail. Their backs and heads are darker, with metallic reflections. A house martin in flight. Watercolour and pencil on wacom tablet.
House Martin in flight
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Black Redstart on iron beam
A male Black Redstart on an iron beam. Pencil and ink on black background on Wakom tablet and Artrage6. I’m pretty pleased with the result.
Singing Whitethroat
I love Whitethroats. In the last week males have arrived from their winter quarters just South of the Sahara Desert and have started setting their territories in little scrubby corners even in the middle of cities, constantly singing their angry, scratchy song, like they are asking females ‘I am here, where are you?’ Females will be arriving soon and settle down to nest. I’m still experimenting with the oil setting in my Wacom tablet. I hoped to capture the atmosphere of a whitethroat in the dawn chorus.
Goldfinch on seed head
I’ve had in mind to sketch a Goldfinch looking face on for a while. I selected a recent photo I took on one and after the pencil sketch I decided to have a go at oils. I’m pretty pleased with the result.
Singing Blackcap
During the last week, males of the summer migrant Blackcap population have been arriving at their territories. I heard my first one in the cemetery near home. Today, at my patch, four males were singing. They have a musical song, with a typical cadence. Occasionally a male will emerge from the thickets they prefer and sing in the open, from an exposed branch. Watercolour and pencil in my Wacom tablet.
Blue Tit
A Blue tit sketch for today, a familiar bird I haven’t drawn much. Mainly pencil with some watercolour on Wacom tablet,
Stonechat Stance
I love when Stonechats stand straight, chest up, legs stretched. I recently came across a photo by @edinbirder on Twitter that reflected this beautifully. Watercolour and pencil on Wacom tablet.
Long-tailed tit face on
A sketch to unwind after a very long week, I’ve had in mind to draw a face-on Long-tail Tit for a while. Watercolour and pencil on Wacom Tablet.
Alarmed Redshank
Redshanks remind me of Blackbirds, in which, when they are disturbed, often even before you notice they are there, they fly off calling loudly, often making you start. Watercolour and pencil on my Wacom Tablet.
Alert Blackbird
A backlit Blackbird, standing alert, flicking its wings, tail cocked, quietly uttering a ‘chock’ call repeatedly, in response to one of the multiple perceived threats that Blackbirds alarm to.
