Thursday, December 06, 2007

EDM 147 - Draw something made of wood


This is a drawing of a wooden pelican (I hope you could tell that's what it was). We bought it when we were in Puerta Vallarta a few years ago. We like to travel but we don't buy a lot of souvenirs or trinkets, partly because of the weight restrictions on air travel, and partly because neither of us wants more stuff that has to be dusted. Mostly we take photos to remind us. But Shawn enjoys things made of wood, being a carpenter and all, and so we have a nice small collection of carved animals and birds. I chose this one because during our visit I enjoyed watching the pelicans at sunset swooping low over the waves to catch their dinner. When perched on a rock or the edge of a fishing boat, they look so graceless and awkward. But when they take to the air, they suddenly become sleek and fast and graceful. I also liked the posture of this fellow. He looks almost meditative. It is made of very hard, shiny, dark wood, while the base is rough and unpolished. Watercolor in the Moleskine journal.

7 comments:

Sherry Pierce Thurner said...

I knew it was a pelican right away. I love how the pelicans fly low over the water in Puerta Vallarta. Sometimes we go in December or January to watch whales, catch some sun, and drink margaritas at sunset, watching those pelicans. Your carving, and the sketch, should give you a nice earm feeling.

Laurel Neustadter said...

This is a beautiful painting. Thank you for your kind welcome to EDM on my blog.

Teri said...

You did a beautiful job on this!

Ella said...

I can assure you it definitely looks like a pelican to me :-)! Love the colors and I am especially amazed at how you managed to make the difference between the shiny and the rough, unpolished part look very real.

Roshanda said...

I just love the coloring on this one. How woderful!

dibujandoarte said...

simply beautiful. like the shine you got with the blanks.

Laura Frankstone said...

Gosh, Lynn, I really like this so much---the shape of the bird divides up the space in the most dynamic way. Your watercolor handling is perfect here--the highlights on the wood, the textured,juicy background wash. The monochromatic palette is very strong. Well done!!