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?


24 comments:

  1. 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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  2. 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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  3. Color, very nice indeed!
    Your hens are beautiful! :)

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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. 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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  7. 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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  8. Beautiful rendering! I think the color version has a bit more depth than the greyscale.

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

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  11. 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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  12. 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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  13. 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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  14. 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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  15. 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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  16. Oooh, love YOUR feather too!
    I think I like the colored one more, more depth and a bit richer... gorgeous.

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

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

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

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  21. 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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  22. 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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  23. 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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