Continuation of the Raven Series

Raven Preening - (c) Pat Dolan - 2017 - SOLD

It's been great fun and also a bit challenging to reveal the personalities of the different Raven's I'm painting in this series. Without a personality, a bird seems so much less impressive! But I'm also noticing that there are many bird species that seem to appear to be identical to one another. Robins and Blue Birds both seem to be so similar to one another, not very expressive of their individuality as compared to one another in their appearance. Yes, they can occasionally take on a pose that sets them apart from all the others, and that is what I like to capture. The uniqueness of each bird...

Ravens seem to have very expressive faces and postures, at least the ones in my reference photos by Wendy Davis! Here are several of my recent pieces with a step-by-step approach so you can watch them evolve on the easel.

First, the drawing in white/silver pencil on the black canvas.

Initial layin of light and medium values.

Refining the values, bit by bit.

Getting close to completion...

Once the highlights are added to the eyes, the bird seems to leap forward and squawk directly in your face!

Raven Squawk - (c) Pat Dolan - 2017 - 9"w x 12"h - $135.00 + 6% PA sales tax + shipping

Here's another step-by-step:

Only one eye is really showing in the photo and I began this way, but didn't like how it looked without a gleam in the eye that was turned away from us.

Building up the lights gradually...

Building up the lightest lights - rather boldly!

Accentuating wings with dark tones and the breast feathers with light accents.

Adding the "hidden" eye and softening the head feathers.

Shy Raven - (c) Pat Dolan - 2017 - 9"wx12"h - $135.00 + 6% PA tax + shipping

Here's one corner of my studio where I can hang these paintings, let them sit for awhile, and determine if they need any changes or if they are complete as they are. You can see Wendy Davis' 2017 Raven calendar hanging on the wall, too! Her photography is so inspiring!

Art Opening a Success!

Last Saturday's art opening at the State College Framing Company & Gallery was a wonderful event. It was especially nice that I had already sold three of my bird paintings prior to the event - the Male Cardinal, the Downy Woodpecker, and the Red-breasted Grosbeak all have found a new home.

Meanwhile, I had the first three of my Raven series framed in time for the show. I love how the frames work so well with the artwork! Here they are for you to decide if the frames are right for the birds!

All the above are available at the moment. Here is the gallery pricing.

I also brought a newly completed painting - not a portrait, but a Great Blue Heron on a 15"x30" canvas. I strongly debated adding something to ground the heron, but decided to allow it to stand noble and free of any distractions. I may change my mind, of course. I've considered adding a simple pencil drawing of reeds towards his/her feet. I'll think on it awhile longer before I make any changes.

And I'm gearing up for a large series of Raven portraits, like the three above. The canvases are now double-coated in black and ready to go. I've selected 10 photographs from Wendy Davis Photography after she graciously agreed to my using of them for reference material. Wendy has a great Facebook page here, if you are interested in Ravens and other wildlife in British Columbia!