I have to admit from the moment I started thinking about this watercolour raven painting I was unsure what to call it – so I uploaded photos of the work in progress so far and then it hit me “Call of the Raven”. Makes sense, it is certainly cawing about something important – I think. I did quite a bit of research with my good friend Google as to “what is a group of ravens called?”
The answer came back with a few possibilities such as “unkindness, constable, conspiracy and parliament”. I played with “Call to Parliament” , I tested it with a few friends but they really did not get it, even after I explained it a few times . Clearly, that would not work – and I had to Google it too, remember?
I am working from a couple of reference photos I took this year in Yellowstone National Park. The ravens let me get very close to them to take their photos. I worked hard to shoot them in such a way to capture the iridescence of their colours. They remind me of a pewter carving. Or is it iron ore? I love the colour variations. And I have enough material to paint for a year. More ravens are sure to follow! This is a 1/4 sheet transparent watercolour. The various stages are shown below.
I was so darn sure I would be able to finish it this weekend – by no. The kink in my neck from leaning over my drafting table caused by leaning over to work in pretty meticulous detail got the best of me. Time to change my posture. Current working on the face area – then on to the shoulders and the rest of the wing. Back at it tomorrow!
The colours I am using Colours are shown to the side – only I am not using Davy’s gray after all – keeping this painting transparent.