Author Topic: Commissioned to do a Magpie (Read 3228 times)

MaryAnne Long · **on:** August 14, 2015, 01:41:05 AM

My neighbor (the author Mia Coffin who wrote ONE PLEASE) asked me to draw or paint a magpie. Her new niece will be called that as a nickname.

Here's my first attempt.

Details

Your comments please before I show it to her.

aloha

mea

liz · **Reply #1 on:** August 14, 2015, 10:07:07 AM

Magpie's body shape looks good and nice line work with feathers drawn so carefully.

Is the beak so prominent though? Or should it taper slightly?

ncwren · **Reply #2 on:** August 14, 2015, 01:14:24 PM

Congratulations!

I would extend the branch some to give it balance-the bird looks top heavy for that little stub.

vasu · **Reply #3 on:** August 14, 2015, 01:51:35 PM

Good magpie, give some background blurry effect with blue, green light and dark tones along with some extended branch

MaryAnne Long · **Reply #4 on:** August 14, 2015, 03:04:08 PM

Thanks, Vasu, Natalie, and Liz.

Here's the reference photo. I guess I need to do some tweaks.

Details

Oh, my friend did want the stark white background. She is going to get a black mat for it.

aloha

mea

Val · **Reply #5 on:** August 14, 2015, 03:35:35 PM

Funny Mea, I was just about to add your photo when it popped up!

The beak needs a bit of tweaking. A bit more curvature on the top, and perhaps lift (feather) some of the dark black as it gets closer to the head. Coming on famously. This will be brilliant!

Tousabella · **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2015, 05:00:43 PM

Hi Sista'....great picture! Magpies are kinda like our crows, so they have a thick bill. I do agree to extend your limb 'just a tad'....it will even out the picture. He looks like he's just 'hangin on'.
Your friend will be so very pleased.

Sacgal/Sharon · **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2015, 11:03:12 PM

Great start and mazel tov on the commission! I'd add some greens, red and a little yellow to the feathers based on the reference photo...Can you darken up the feathers on his head a bit? What a cute nickname!

MaryAnne Long · **Reply #8 on:** August 15, 2015, 05:36:05 AM

I tweaked the beak; added to the tree limb; flicked a few feathers near his beak; and added some color to the end of his tail. Thanks to Val, Retta, Sharon, Vasu, Natalie, and Liz for the suggestions.

Details

My friend loves it so I will quit at this point even though I know I can do it better if I started all over again.

I bought some 2 1/3 "x 3 3/8" stickers to put all the basic info onto the back of the paper or mat board. Then I have a gold circle to go to the side of the sticker where I will actually sign it. Will try that out now and post when I am done, so you can see if it looks okay.

aloha

mea

JayJ · **Reply #9 on:** August 15, 2015, 07:57:38 AM

Beautiful Mea!

Val · **Reply #10 on:** August 15, 2015, 02:20:51 PM

Excellent job on the 'tweaks' Mea

Well done!

jillh · **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2015, 02:24:36 PM

Excellent Mea!

MaryAnne Long · **Reply #12 on:** August 15, 2015, 04:47:36 PM

Thanks, Jay, Val, and Jill. Enjoyed doing the magpie.

aloha

mea

cyril · **Reply #13 on:** August 15, 2015, 05:12:26 PM

Congratulation Mea, great drawing

BarryC · **Reply #14 on:** August 15, 2015, 08:42:51 PM

Mea, the magpie is great and I love that blue hue shining off the wings and tail, just a great piece.

Author Topic: Commissioned to do a Magpie (Read 3228 times)

MaryAnne Long

Commissioned to do a Magpie

liz

Re: Commissioned to do a Magpie

ncwren

Re: Commissioned to do a Magpie

vasu

Re: Commissioned to do a Magpie

MaryAnne Long

Re: Commissioned to do a Magpie

Val

Re: Commissioned to do a Magpie

Tousabella

Re: Commissioned to do a Magpie

Sacgal/Sharon

Re: Commissioned to do a Magpie

MaryAnne Long

Re: Commissioned to do a Magpie

JayJ

Re: Commissioned to do a Magpie

Val

Re: Commissioned to do a Magpie

jillh

Re: Commissioned to do a Magpie

MaryAnne Long

Re: Commissioned to do a Magpie

cyril

Re: Commissioned to do a Magpie

BarryC

Re: Commissioned to do a Magpie