Spring Is In The Air

Sorry, couldn't think of a more fancy title for this one. Jonsson would have named it something suitably evocative and obviously got away with it! Basically it's just a Gadwall with its arse in the air, but something of a victory for me as it's something simple and effective like this I've been striving for. Inspired by those superb vignettes in the Colins Bird Guide, and working with my favourite combination (for now!) of Caran d' Ache pencils and Strathhmore paper, this has a good balance of tone and the bird's in a fairly interesting position i.e. not side-on and not asleep. If it looks more 'painterly' than before (which I've been trying to achieve from day one) then this effect has been created by hitting the auto-correct button on Microsoft Picture Manager. I think the photo of the original piece is too faded. Anyway, the bar's been set!
Thanks for looking.
Russ

 

                                      Field sketches of Gadwall, Old Moor, 5th March 2016

                                              Where's the signature for such a masterpiece?