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Brendan65 — The Barred Owl
Published: 2007-11-26 06:36:42 +0000 UTC; Views: 1700; Favourites: 52; Downloads: 59
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Description
The Barred OwlPrismacolor pencils on 14x20 Fabriano HP
Well I quickly found out that coloured pencils don't work like regular graphite pencils ! So after a frustrating start I'm fairly happy with the end result.
The ref is from an excellent photo by Gerald Botkin - unfortunately no link ...
I guess a background would help .. maybe next time !
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Comments: 50
Just gorgeous! Captured the inquisitive expression of the owl quite well
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Amazing work! Almost looks like a photo, the details in the feathers are amazing!
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Thanks a lot ... and thanks for the fave !
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Fantastic job on the detail of feathers! Yes, color pencils are way different than graphite but you did a great job of blending the colors - very realistic.
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Yeah it's funny thinking about it now ... but at the time I thought they would be like pastels .. or paint !!
Thanks for the fave !
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Beautiful artwork! It's so realistic. I like the details on the neck and stick.
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Thanks a lot .. and thanks for mentioning the stick !!
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Thanks a lot .. and thanks for the fave !
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You're quite welcome! My apologies for how late I am in responding to you.
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That's amazing! the detail in the feathers is superb.
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Looks great, Brendan. One of the things that stands out to me that it doesn't look like a color pencil drawing, but more like a painting.
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Thanks again Tom ... I guess the dull leads helps hide the pencil strokes.
How are you making out with the digital drawing/painting ?
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I've been in Michigan for the past week.The computer I've been using doesn't have photoshop. I'll start working on a piece when
I get back to my computer.
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Pfft .. "photoshop" 
Every computer comes with "paint" ... chop chop !
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WOW. I thought this was a photo at first when it caught my eye while browsing around. I am just completely amazed at how realistic this looks.
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Hey - thanks a lot !! I noticed that you listed Dream Theater and Sonata Arctica on your info page .. two of my favs !!
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You're welcome!
Ah yes, I just found out about those two wonderful musical gems recently and love them.
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definitely a fav with no doubt
you still haven't answered my question, how do you blend?
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Sorry - it's easier to make fun of you than to answer questions !!
I used a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol for the large feathers at the bottom.
No blending elsewhere, other than pencil pressure.
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This is excellent for your first attempt..
very nice texture on the tree branch.
Now, I would like to see a portrait using this medium!
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What ?? .. not just "excellent" 
Finally someone mentioned the branch !! I thought that was the best part !!
I did some experimenting with skin tones when I first bought the CP's ..
I can't see drawing skin with the "flesh tone" pencil .. I'll leave it to the experts ..
Thanks Rob !
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Maybe you should try pastel as well..
the pencil or the stick...
it's much, much easier to blend than the CP.
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So agree. its too damn messy !
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Yeah .. and I always sort of imagine pastels as a "girl's medium" ..
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Kinda like needlepoint ... and ballet.
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Amazing feather detail.Great eyes. A background would distract from the owl.Looks awesome the way it is
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Thanks Deb ! What a great (and huge) gallery you have !
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You're very welcome! And thank you!I guess my gallery is getting pretty big.I get a visual in my head or the glimmer of an idea, got to roll with it.You've got a great gallery yourself,awesome work
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Thanks Jen .. how's the bunny ?
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Sorry. I don't have a bunny yet. I'm going to have to wait until I can get another place before I can get one. But I still want a French Lop!
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Amazing piece of art man! 
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Hey thanks ! But I wouldn't know when one step was finished and another started !!
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This is great! I appreciate the tremendous work behind all of those feathers. Ya' know, not having a background helps the drawing to "Pop Out" at the viewer in my opinion. I would think a background would have merged everything together.
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I reckon it depends on what sort of background you would do. For example if you shaded the edges of the paper black and let it fade into white towards the owl, then it would still 'jump out' at you so to speak. But i think i just like it without a background.
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Thanks Lyle - you're probably right about the background. I often feel I'm taking the easy way out - this sort of drawing allows for a stray line or skewed proportion which would ruin a car, plane etc ...
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Nah. I don't think you took the easy way out. I look at it as the owl being the center of attention. Anything else would detract from the subject. I'm no pro though. The only person you have to compete with is yourself anyway. If you're happy then it's all good.
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You did a good job, I really like the expression and how not every feather is prefectly in place. The placement of the feet is really good, but there aren't any feathers on the feet, is that how the picture was? I've never seen plain feet on a barred owl, its unusual. You did a really good job. I have to look at them often (barred owls), thats the only reason I noticed.
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I just spent some time at your gallery .. it must be very rewarding to work with wildlife.
I'm starting to get that sinking feeling when my drawing is viewed by someone in the know ..
Like my recent train drawing .. that drew the attention of a lot of train enthusiasts - but was all wrong !!
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Thanks Meg .. the feet (talons, claws ?) area of the photo was a blurry mess of various colours, I could barley discern what was what ! What were feathers I probably drew as skin ... like chicken feet !!!
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