This little guy gave me problems at first. I couldn’t get the shape right so I had to switch from my direct line drawing to sketching shapes first. Drawing the Eurasian Starling reminded me that it’s good to be able to approach a problem from different sides. And to take a break from a frustrating experience and come back to it later fresh with new energy.
I’m happy with how this bird is looking now but want to come back to it to create a new background/composition.
The background too was a process. There are actually many layers in there. I’m wanting my birds to say something. Not necessarily in words. The plan is to keep on working on them till it comes to me how I really want to be working with birds.
Did you know that:
The starling mimics the calls of other birds, and of manmade sounds, such as whistles and ringing telephones.
Source: Wildlife Fact-File
Since my experience in drawing this bird made me think of we approach challenges, I looked for quotes on the topic and came up with this by architect Frank Gehry. I rather like it. It is a good reflection of my feelings with this ‘bird project’:
For me, every day is a new thing. I approach each project with a new insecurity, almost like the first project I ever did. And I get the sweats. I go in and start working, I’m not sure where I’m going. If I knew where I was going I wouldn’t do it.
Source: brainyquote.com