Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Feather Series - Parrot



Parrot Feathers - study

pencil and watercolor NFS

I would like you to meet Bonnie Marie.
She is 17 and ...you have to love this,
a Pionus Parrot.  I am lucky enough to follow
her owner's blog and she follows mine.
Check out this post about the feathers. Blanche Niznik


Blanche was good enough to mail me some stunning feathers.
I am lucky - the timing was great because it is molting time.
The feather with red must be on her tail. I am starting off with
several studies because trying to catch the iridescence is going
to take quite a few attempts.
Thank you so much Blanche - you have a heart of gold!




27 comments:

  1. Beautifully colored bird! You are lucky you were mailed some of her feathers to inspire a study! Very elegant sketches!

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    1. I was lucky and i enjoyed doing them.
      I think your sunflower is vibrant and beautifully done.

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  2. Oh I do love birds! So nice of Blanche to share Bonnie's feathers. I know you'll paint these more than once too. Never noticed 2 colors on one feather before. That is so cool!!

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    1. The colors are amazing and if I ever learn to capture the iridescence I will be more than happy.
      Hope the day is a good one for you, my friend.

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  3. When you figure out how to paint iridescent colors, I hope you will share. Studying feathers is an excellent idea for growth and we can count on you to take on a challenge.

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    1. If I ever do I sure will share. Feathers are difficult in the respect that some are weightless and others sleek and others...get the drift!
      That is why they are interesting.
      love your adobe and gates.

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  4. I can't even imagine how hard it is to paint feathers and I am in awe of your painted study of them here.

    I had NO idea parrots lived to be 17!!!

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    1. Feathers are hard - I am finding that out. it is not the feather its self but how do you make a painting out of them?
      I love your 3 new pieces, Lisa, and am looking forward to your report on the upcoming show.

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  5. heehee- that just makes me smile (the thought of a parrot having a blog & following yours, too!). She is grand & quite lucky to have you sketching her feathers!!

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    1. it was a fun post. Your watercolors of your garden are really beautiful...but there again. so is your fabulous flower garden.

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  6. wonderful! you are stretching your wings. heheh

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  7. these are so lovely!! beautifully done! i love the wash and drawn feathers in the background, they really showcase the painted ones. and Bonnie Marie! what can one say? Hot stuff!

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    1. thanks so much Suzanne.
      Love your gorgeous sunflower. ..painted with a knife no less.

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  8. I know that you have painted feathers in your bird's nest paintings, perhaps you have further plans for them? I considered feathers as a subject earlier, but went with pine cones instead.You make me look bad, you know, I should sketch more and try new things.

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    1. Would love to see what you would do with feathers. The hardest part is making a complete painting with only the feathers. I am basically an impressionist so it is harder I think than a design oriented artist like yourself.
      love your pink flowers today.

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    2. I wasn't sure how to approach them and I didn't have any feathers or good reference photos on my own. Perhaps I do it some day, but it will be all because of your inspiration.
      PS! Glad you liked the pink flowers. =)

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  9. lovely feather study! love that bird!

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    1. Thanks Myra - sorry to hear about your painful experience.Excellent suggestion about the items to collect. It was good to hear from you.

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  10. Beautiful feathers. Love the red one and the story of the parrot. Glad you got to relax with you watercolors..........

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    1. Me too. Loved painting one with color.
      Notice you have not posted for a few days. loved your barn.

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  11. Something wonderful will surely come out of these studies, actually painting feathers must be quite fun...even though difficult. Blanche has some gorgeous colors and will be a great inspiration, I'm sure !

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    1. I hope something will. thanks Jane. it is one thing to do studies and another to do a full painting.
      Blanche is great and so is the parrot, Bonnie.

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  12. Amazing the wonderful people we meet on our blogs, and the extent and generosity of the sharing. Your studies are elegant!

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    1. So true, Anne. Blanche offered right away. See her post below for her sense of humor.
      love your painting of the chair in front of the window. very special.

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  13. Well Julie, after Bonnie read your blog and saw your beautiful painting of his feathers he has developed sort of an attitude. Now wants to be treated as a star and thinks you are just WONDERFUL. He wanted that in capital letters, sigh.

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    1. I enjoyed your reply so much Blanche. What a great sense of humor you have.
      Thanks again for sharing Bonnie's (THE STAR) feathers with me.

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie