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windfalcon — Saker Falcon - Study
Published: 2009-03-14 16:47:40 +0000 UTC; Views: 7347; Favourites: 378; Downloads: 165
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Description
My next thesis painting will explore the relationship between the saker falcon and falconers in the Middle East, so I decided to do a study of the saker falcon before starting the full painting.I decided to try a technique I haven't done before, which is to cover everything - even the figure - with the background wash, and then to go in and paint the details, using white gouache for opacity. I know it breaks the watercolor 'rules,' but I figure in illustration, you can do what you want.
A couple of close-up details can be seen here: [link]
Watercolor and white gouache on Arches cold-press watercolor paper, 8X10 inches
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Comments: 43
Wow, this is a beautiful study! I thought I had faved this before, but apparently not.
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I have featured this beautiful piece of art here [link]
P.S. The detail in this one is so amazing!
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This is a beautiful falcon. I'm impressed.
AEH
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Amazing amount of detail on the feathers of this watercolor painting. I've done paintings with washes over the entire piece and then begin the painting.
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I don't know the "rules" of watercolors, but I think this image looks really good. The details on the bird, especially the feathers on the wings, look good, and I like the mottled background.
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Due to a mere coincidence, that's the same thing I'm experimenting with right now O_o colouring everything with the BG wash and then filling in the details. Though I don't own any gouache so I try to at least leave the whites... or use St Petersburg white, those watercolours are pretty gouache-like in a way.
I guess it's up to my colour pencils to save me until I get my butt to an art supply store and get white gouach.
I kept this birdie up in a tab in Firefox for a few days, just because I like going back to it and look at it, but I realised just now I never commented on it and that feels pretty rotten. 
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Colored pencils work really well on watercolors, I've found. Depending on how you use them, you can even watercolor on top of them. There will be a bit of resist (since there's some wax in colored pencils) but not too much as long as you don't burnish with them.
White gouache is a lot of fun. It takes a little getting used to, but once you get the hang of it there's so much you can do with it.
And thank you!
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I usually use my Derwent Artists pencils for colouring on top of watercolours, and they're made with a clay base rather than wax (I haven't had time to try my Coloursoft on watercolour yet, they've got a wax base instead) although even the Artists have a slight wax coating... but I haven't really tried painting over them. I usually use them as the very finishing touch, if you know what I mean.
Might be a good thing to try though, just as white gouache might be. I'll see if I can borrow some from ~Wursu someday.
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gouache rules!
i think the technique is great. it gave the overall piece real unity in the colour, and makes the whites very bold and beautiful
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Amazing! It feels as if the falcon would move any moment now.
...I have no words.
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Another wonderful peice! Falcon are always so beautiful.
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I love the background. As for rules, who sets them anyway? I say you do, since you're the artist! And you did a fantastic job!
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Oh the bird is so cute!!! And forget the "rules" as long as it looks good!
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This turned out gorgeous! I wasn't sure what to expect after seeing the first progress image, but I am in awe at the results. The feathers have amazing detail, and I love the wash effect. : ) Have fun on your next painting!
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I had lots of fun with this. I'm definitely planning on doing more white gouache work. And thanks!
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OMG... he/she is soo cute *-* You're pictures are great ;D !
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really nice work 
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I agree
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..You pick out the detailing of the feathers so beautifully. ^^ Lovely piece [yet again]
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Beautiful 
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Thanks! I wanted something looser and more textured for the background, and I think it worked out.
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