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Description
This is my submission for the Stylized Animals May crow/raven stylization challenge. I have wanted to draw something like this for a long time, and this month's challenge gave me the creative impetus to make good on the idea.

"A crow that isn't black (yet)?", you might be wondering. This picture, inspired by the Native American legend of Rainbow Crow, depicts how Crow gained his current appearance. Here is what I can remember of the story: When the earth was frozen, Crow journeyed to the Creator to obtain fire. As he passes the sun on his way back with the flame, his tail catches fire and the flames burn him. He was once the most beautiful bird with the most melodic voice, but the journey to bring fire to earth left him with his feathers burned black and a croaking voice from the smoke. Only the hint of his former rainbow can still be seen on the inky feathers when the sun catches them just right, to remind others of his sacrifice.

I tried to incorporate Native American imagery into the style (such as the sun symbol, and some of Crow's design). This picture took three days to color and ink after I finished the concept sketches.

Tools: Watercolor, micron pen, red sharpie, blue ballpoint pen, photoshop elements.

Description
This is my submission for the Stylized Animals May crow/raven stylization challenge. I have wanted to draw something like this for a long time, and this month's challenge gave me the creative impetus to make good on the idea.

"A crow that isn't black (yet)?", you might be wondering. This picture, inspired by the Native American legend of Rainbow Crow, depicts how Crow gained his current appearance. Here is what I can remember of the story: When the earth was frozen, Crow journeyed to the Creator to obtain fire. As he passes the sun on his way back with the flame, his tail catches fire and the flames burn him. He was once the most beautiful bird with the most melodic voice, but the journey to bring fire to earth left him with his feathers burned black and a croaking voice from the smoke. Only the hint of his former rainbow can still be seen on the inky feathers when the sun catches them just right, to remind others of his sacrifice.

I tried to incorporate Native American imagery into the style (such as the sun symbol, and some of Crow's design). This picture took three days to color and ink after I finished the concept sketches.

Tools: Watercolor, micron pen, red sharpie, blue ballpoint pen, photoshop elements.