Thursday 7 May 2015

Secretary Bird Catch-Up

Hello!

I know, I know, I missed a day. Sorry 'bout that - I was utterly shattered last night having had a stressful day sorting money and all that necessary stuff and just fell fast asleep. Yes, me, sleep! It was AWESOME as I've had not a lot of the whole 'land of nod' thing this week, so I'm not complaining. However, I have a catch-up post now, another page in the birdie book (which is what that black-paged artbook of mum's has become, or so it seems). This is a Secretary Bird - and they're GORGEOUS! They're incredible creatures, coming from the sub-Saharan regions of Africa, and they have great big long legs and fabulous eyelashes! Google 'em. I just wanted to have a play and try painting one, so I did. I have to admit that I'm quite enjoying these messy, textured mess-abouts so I'm guessing they'll continue!


The background has layers of washi tape and tissue paper underneath for texture, covered with warm colours of acrylic paints scraped on with a palette knife and an old plastic gift card which has a lenticular side, leaving a cool ridged pattern. The bird's drawn with black indian ink, then coloured with mixture of Neocolor II crayons, white acrylic paint, some Prussian Blue Hue Golden fluid acrylic (just an itsy bit), and white Uni Ball gel pen, with ink splatters from Derwent Graphik Paint Liners to represent the rich colours of African grasslands and Treasure Gold 'Brass' gilding wax to add some hints of African Sun.  Here are some close ups of textureness (which is now a word, I thank you) -





And some more birdie -



And a full page view -



These are wonderful birds and one of my favourite species - although it's a BIG list of favourites - so I enjoyed this page. Dunno what the next one will be.... Ah well!   Hope you like this even though the camera doesn't pick up the vivid colours - I'd recommend HUGELY adding a bit of layering and texture to backgrounds if you've not tried that yet - it creates such fun effects. If you have questionyness just comment below or just stop by and say hello as it's always fantastic to hear from you. Sending you some hugs and a little of the blue sky that's poking through the cloud layer today - spread some sunshine!  xxxx

21 comments:

  1. Oh my, I am speechless - this bird is just FAN*TAS*TIC!!! Love the background, too.Glad you managed to get some sleep! Hugs, Valerie

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    1. Thank you squillions! The background's a bit brighter than it looks here but my camera was being difficult! Hugs and sunshine from me xxx

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  2. Rachael, your art is just so fabulous I love all the textures you do-I hope you have a way to make some money with your awesome works of art.
    My bracelet fits perfect-love it and am wearing it today-and I really really love the journal cover-it really is perfect!
    hugs from me and Miss Calico

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    1. I am also happy to read you got sleep-Larry has that problem too-he is always sleep deprived

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    2. I am SO glad you like your goodies - and also that the bracelet fits ok. You had to have sparkles! Sparkles are essential! Hope you're ok and that Larry's feeling a bit better today xxxx

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    3. I think this is going to take a long time for Larry to get back to his old self-sigh I think once he gets off the steroids next week he will start to feel better too-thanks for the well wishes Sparkles are awesome aren't they? hugs

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  3. Oooooh l love her. Love, love her! And you know I loves me some texture. Mmmm.

    So pleased you got some shuteye. Makes all the difference in the world x

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  4. Oooooh l love her. Love, love her! And you know I loves me some texture. Mmmm.

    So pleased you got some shuteye. Makes all the difference in the world x

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    1. Texture am good fun! We likes muchly adding lumpy bumpy stuffs - just adds more interest dunnit?

      Sending hugs and zombie-repellent pellets - keeps 'em off the floral borders xxxxx

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  5. Oh, wow. How could you not love her? She's fabulous!

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    1. Thank you lovely! I love these birds - and envy them their fabulous eyelashes! xxx

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  6. That is wonderful, I love the vibrancy of it. Is it the kind of bird they used for Zazu in The Lion King, he's got that kind of look in his eye?

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    1. Thank you! I wish the camera had been playing nicely so that the colours showed properly. *pfffff*....technology...... Was Zazu a hornbill? I think it's a line in one of the songs ....possibly (I might have imagined that!) Disney had a secretary bird in 'Bedknobs & Broomsticks' but it looked nothing like one. But Disney own the world so they can do as they please! We just have to 'let it go'.... heh heh heh

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  7. Now this one could be my favorite so far - TEXTURE!!! So beautiful- your colors are so intense - love it! And...YEAH for sleep!! I hope it continues for you!

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    1. I have to admit, I am happy with this one, but then I do so like Secretary birds - they're fabulous creatures!xxxx

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  8. This is fantastic. The movement in the piece really draws you in. I love it! It's good that you got some sleep, not sleeping is no fun.

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comment! And yes - sleeeeeeeep is soooooooo good! Hugs from me xxx

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  9. Fantastic page as always, love all that texture and the bird is amazing !

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    1. Thank you from me and Gilda the Secretary bird! (She needed a name!) xxxx

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  10. ohhhh fabulous, wonderful colours and textures. I just love the way you have the confidence in your art to splosh your way to happyness. No one could ever accuse you of being 'precious' about your art.

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    1. I'm only ever a bit obsessive when I make books or do a big pen & ink piece! Paint is made to fling about randomly! This is why I have multi-coloured rugs round my workspace - so they absorb the splatters! hee hee hee xxxx

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