"Two red birds"4"x 9"
ink and watercolor
on Arches #140lb. cold press
(click image for a better view)
I used to do a lot of little pen and ink drawings embellished with watercolor. I decided this year I would do that again on a regular weekly basis. Here is one of the first drawings I did this year. Hopeful for spring, even in January, I made this little illustration. It looks like spring to me!
The word for the day is ... revisit ... as in a book that you loved, a friendship needing rekindling, and a method you have set aside for a while.
u need background color. With all that gray u completely ose the feeling of spring. But i loe the little birds ! ;)
ReplyDeletethey're very cute and i like the flower too.
ReplyDeleteI like the pose of the smaller bird but do agree that you need some sort of color wash as Spring connotates something more alive and colorful
ReplyDeleteah the colorful background seekers...
ReplyDeletethank you for your comments and critiques however! i love to hear them.
i did these in a number of sunshiny backgrounds too, but after great thought and critiques by my designer husband, we went with the white background.
springtime in NH looks more like the one we chose... and for me, brings out the elements of the birds... simplicity for spring.
check out my new work link...the poppies are all about color!
that flower is magnificent, and perfectly placed! (oh, and i live in upstate ny, so i agree with the white background!)
ReplyDeleteso cute!! love your style!
ReplyDeletesweet little ittustration; I love the use of color and the white space. The creative use of white space gives it the clean appearance. A background would have detracted from what you wanted to show. Art is not about filling the page; sometimes it is about stopping at just the right time - which you did. i could see the illustration being used in stationary or edging pillow cases.
ReplyDeleteof course that should have said "illustration"; not "ittustration". sheesh.......
ReplyDeletethis is a lovely painting. I like the simplicity. I live in NH too and agree spring can be somewhat grey.
ReplyDeleteYes, art is not about filling the page!
ReplyDeletePeople are so often afraid of the white space. For me, I am always afraid of when to stop! That is why I make so many works of the same thing to experiment.
And defer to my husband who is always a good eye!
...you guessed it right too Ascender - they were created to be cards!
I love the little bits of color-tend to do it myself, so I guess I am biased. And after all, spring is often spent waiting for those little bits of color, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful little birds. :)
ReplyDeleteHere they are agian! I'm glad you posted these, Susan. They are truly delightful.
ReplyDeleteLovely! It kinda reminds me of "The Partridge Family" animation theme at the begining of the tv show.
ReplyDelete:-)
stevePoisonPencil
Oh! Didn't you just totally dig that show? Must have been playing with my subconsious here...
ReplyDeletethanks for all the kind words!
This is so lovely!
ReplyDeleteThis is rawkin! It resonates of terrific illustrators in the late 60s ... it's a lovely illustration!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and simple, I agree it almost has a 60s quality, I really enjoy your style. And I have to disagree with the coloured background enthusiasts in this case. I was enjoying seeing exposed paper, the play of colour and texture is what is is all about!
ReplyDeleteI´m fascinated! greetings, Issi
ReplyDeleteAh!! Ah!! Two little love birds happy as can be singing to each other and dreaming trees.
ReplyDeleteI will have to find a frame for that!!
tweet tweet!! Lovin the birdies. :)
ReplyDeleteoh susan... these would be so perfect as greeting cards.
ReplyDeletei reckon you need to do a whole series of these.
this reminds me of the quote...
"The littlest birds sing the prettiest songs..."
ang.
Your illustration's so lovely! Beautiful Colours, sweet design. I love it!
ReplyDeleteI do like your small birds - the way the little one look at the big one is marvellous! With so few lines you tell a lot of emotions etc.
ReplyDeleteThe blue flower too - simple lines, but beautiful. In Denmark we call some flowers "the blue flower of poem" - this indeed is a poem-flower.
At last - I agree with some of the other comments - more light would be nice - of course there is some rainy days at spring, but these birds need some light, some sunshine.
Thanks for viewing your great artwork.
I love that picture, it has a vividness captured that I just can't even put into words. I need to reconnect with some many things. I appreciate the nudge.
ReplyDeleteI love the color, contrast, and gentle, but whimsical spirit, of this piece. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, sweet little birds! I love the simplicity of the composition - flat with a concentration on lyrical lines and pretty colors.
ReplyDeletesimple and great .. love the colors.
ReplyDeleteThe illo is simple but beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSweeeet tweets!
ReplyDelete(Ow, sorry, I couldn't help myself.)
Anyway, pardon while I join the luv pile-on. VERY cute and whimsical.
I love it! just the way it is. I think the background color is just fine. Love the birds and their colors ;)
ReplyDeletelovely illo. i really like the colors.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. i love it.
ReplyDeleteIt is so cute! I love your illo:)
ReplyDelete