Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Illustration Friday: Scattered


I panicked when I saw Charlotte's feathers scattered around the yard. Had the raccoon, that had savagely attacked my neighbor's cat, attacked one of my "girls"?  Fortunately, Charlotte soon scurried out from under the tangerine tree where she likes to dust bathe, and it all started to make sense—it's molting time.  

A molting chicken is not a pretty sight. My hens were too young to molt when fall arrived last year, so this is their maiden voyage. While May seems to be replacing her feathers a few at a time, poor bedraggled Charlotte has been looking like something the cat dragged in. But I noticed yesterday that her pin feathers are coming in, so she's looking more normal. Actually, she looks a bit like a hedgehog—something I've always wanted! (If you'd like to see the girls in all of their pre-molt splendor, click here to go their page.)

Feathers are amazing structures; I could use some practice drawing them. Also, the sheen of graphite complicates the scanning process, so I had to play around with the scanner settings. (I've really got to take a day and get the hang of using a camera and my copy stand...especially for graphite drawings.)

The scan above is in color, and the one below is in greyscale...which do you prefer?


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24 comments:

  1. Tim TomkinsonOctober 18, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    color!
    nice drawing

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  2. CarolineOctober 18, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    This is lovely - I think I prefer the greyscale! Checked out your chooks - lovely, would like to keep some myself one day!

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  3. Elizabeth Rose StantonOctober 18, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    OOOO....dear Sarah...this feather is gorgeous. I very slightly prefer the top one to the greyscale--but only slightly. It is a most beautiful rendering of a feather! Also, your girls look very self-possessed. Lucky for us, they molt :) Beautiful, beautiful dwg --as usual!!!!!!

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  4. Anne MandaOctober 18, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    Color, very nice indeed!
    Your hens are beautiful! :)

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  5. Amanda BatesOctober 19, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    That's a really difficult call. Something draws me to the greyscale version, but regardless of the means used to digitise it, it's an exquisite rendering of a feather.

    And your hens are lovely.

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  6. wendy howarthOctober 19, 2011 at 2:07 AM

    I prefer the colour version, it has a slight vintage quality to it and the drawing is exquisite. A tangerine tree sounds so beautifully exotic for a garden when you come from a chilly autumnal UK!

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  7. Amanda DilworthOctober 19, 2011 at 5:11 AM

    Both are really beautiful but i think i prefer the colour. Not been over to the chicken page before, just visited your girls and they look great, i love drawing chickens:)

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  8. Ces AdorioOctober 19, 2011 at 6:04 AM

    Sarah, this is a great feather illustration. I would have been nervous too. I did not know that chicken molt. We raised chickens in the Philippines. Perhaps it may be due to the breed or the environment? Perhaps the tropics made them keep their feathers? Thank you for sharing.

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  9. ruthOctober 19, 2011 at 6:04 AM

    Beautiful rendering! I think the color version has a bit more depth than the greyscale.

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  10. Linda HensleyOctober 19, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    I did a feather this week too, and you're right, they are amazing structures. Lovely drawing. I slightly prefer the color version too. It feels a little warmer and has a little more depth.

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  11. caelaOctober 19, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    Great illustration :) I think I prefer the colour version but both are BEAUTIFIUL

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  12. JaneOctober 19, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    Both feathers are beautiful but I prefer the colour one. I am so glad your sweet chicken is only moulting!!
    Jane x

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  13. Sarah MellingOctober 19, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    Thanks for your opinions, everyone! I almost didn't post the color scan, but now I'm glad that I did!

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  14. susan drawbaughOctober 19, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    I have to agree with the majority - I SLIGHTLY prefer the color. Both are WONDERFUL renderings!! I love ALL of your pencil work!!! Fantastic!

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  15. TimareeOctober 19, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    I prefer the color versio with the hint of brown I see on my computer screen. Nice feather. I am waiting for my dogs to shed; I didn't realize chickens did but should have since my canary does!

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  16. Cathy HoltomOctober 20, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    I like them both, I couldn't possibly choose a favourite!
    I'm still trying to workout how to draw a white feather on white paper!

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  17. EmmaOctober 20, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    Oooh, love YOUR feather too!
    I think I like the colored one more, more depth and a bit richer... gorgeous.

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  18. Bella SinclairOctober 20, 2011 at 11:38 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous! I can feel the whispy softness near the bottom of the quill. Beautiful work. I like them both, but I like the sepia tone of the color version just a tad more. :)

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  19. KristaOctober 21, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    So lovely, as always! And your "contraption" is fabulous-- it's so you!

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  20. FeathersOctober 21, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    Wonderful feather drawing--I also prefer (slightly) the color one, the warm sepia tones win it for me.

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  21. AnonymousOctober 22, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    Ah, beautiful! I agree - sepia has a lovely warmth to it.

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  22. Curious ArtOctober 22, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    Feathers are a challenge to draw, especially those with color bands, but you really did a wonderful job. I'm with the color-scan contingent-- a little more subtlety visible there I think-- but I know what you mean about scanning graphite. It always seems to miss so much, either fading or becoming harsh.

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  23. Nicky LinzeyOctober 24, 2011 at 6:01 AM

    Lovely illustration work Sarah. I like the colour one best. My sister has just got 2 chickens so I'm enjoying hearing all about their adventures!

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  24. Paula PertileOctober 24, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    Oh I'm so glad Charlotte is OK!
    I love the feather. I think they're very difficult to draw. That's why I never draw birds. :~)
    I like both versions. I'm no help, sorry.

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