In progress - Owl drawing

[amberdreams]

I'm trying to draw this Barred Owl for my old friend Mal, who is a big fan of owls in general. I know I need to sort out the right eye, but any tips on enhancing the feathers and other details would be gratefully recieved. Also how can I get the darks nice and dark? So far I've used 2B and 6B pencils - I do have up to 9B.
This is the reference pic (this chap takes fantastic bird photos)

Comments

[manzanita-crow.livejournal.com]

Looking good so far. Maybe a bit of charcoal for the darkest bits? Not sure...

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I'm not very good with charcoal, tend to make a terrible mess! LOL But thanks

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I can offer you technical advice, but this is a beautiful drawing. I'm sure Mal will love it.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

thank you, I hope so!

[galwithglasses.livejournal.com]

This is a great start. I think the eyes look good. Smart and focused. I wish I knew more about feather shading.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

ha ha so do I! Thanks!

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

It's looking really good so far. Having looked at the reference picture, I don't think there's much more you can do to improve it, except maybe add some alternating dark bands inamongst the feathers, because I noted his plumage has an almost 'chequerboard' look about it.

He's got a very calm, serene look about him - great job x

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Yes it does have quite a distinctly variegated appearance - I had to stop today as the light was so naff and I couldn't see well enough, so I'll get cracking again tomorrow morning (hoping for some sunshine!).
Thanks!

[thursdaysisters.livejournal.com]

You have a nice light touch :D

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

The lightness is my downfall :D

[chomaisky.livejournal.com]

Looks nice!

I don't have some smart advice but if you want to maybe shade the edge of the form lightly to bring out the volume? I don't know :)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think I'm going to shade the background a bit more to make him stand out a bit better. Ta!

[fireheart13.livejournal.com]

All I know is I think it is gorgeous!!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Why thankee kindly!

[ephermeralk.livejournal.com]

I have nothing helpful to say. Just...awwww it's fabulous! And adorable

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Cheers me dear!

[alexisjane.livejournal.com]

It's looking awesome Hun! I think the thing with pencil is that it's never completely black because it gets that shine on it. I've seen specialist pencils that have charcoal in them that give a more matt, intense black but they're like £20 each or something stupid. I think concentrating in getting a good range of contest works better sometimes.
Made me think of the proko vid on hair - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NHewz3JbKrQ - except I guess it would be feathers in this case, perhaps thinking of the owl's volume and varying the detail to bring out the contrasting areas, which will make the darks appear darker.

Have to say you haven't picked an easy one! Damn he's fluffy! Can't wait to see the end result! xxx

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

ooh thanks, I'll check that vid out before I commence tomorrow. Yup, it's all about contrast and I just don't seem to have the knack - pity I can't enhance it afterwards using PS!

[sillie]

I think the thing with pencil is that it's never completely black because it gets that shine on it.

Yeah, I've noticed that with my portraits... Even if I use my 9B pencil, it always keeps that grey quality to it. What you could try maybe is using a black colored pencil?

Anyway... I love owls, and I think you already did a really good job on this one. <3

[crowroad3.livejournal.com]

Beautiful. (I love birds, owls and all birds...and you know, love to see them arted beautifully.)

I think I know what you're asking, I mean beyond the technical question which not being an artist I have no answer for at all--but having seen barred owls in person I know they seem to contain the night, or the night-ness (I hesitate to say the darkness/Darkness, heh). Yours does too--but you want him/her to have a bit more of it?

Ah, they seem to look out at you from behind, from the depths behind their faces, and there's a fire there too, because *predator* ,and also a softness of the kind that flies silently, the kind of listening that picks up a mouse scratching under snow. I especially see the softness and attendance to invisible (to us) scratchings here. Love.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Ooh thank you, it's very cool that you think I've already got the essence of the bird. I've never seen this kind of owl except in photos but they do seem to be exceptionally beautiful. I love that quality about owls in particular - dangerous but also seemingly fluffy.