Blue birds in the rain

[anthemsweet]

I just finished this graphite drawing for the Illustration Friday prompt, shelter. I worked hard on it, scanned it, posted it, which always leaves me feeling kind of depressed and not sure what I did right and what I did wrong in the picture. I do like my little birdies, I'm very attached to them, but I'm uncertain about the composition. Any feedback? I probably won't make any changes in it soon, but I might rework it in color someday.

[Sarah LuAnn]

Aww, they're darling! I think this is very well drawn. The only comment I would make compositionally is what Lee mentioned in the last 3rd Thursday critique about just having two shapes of approximately the same size in the middle of the picture. Even so, I don't think that that is something that is always necessarily "wrong", its just an obvious choice and therefore one to make consciously rather than by default, if that makes sense.

In this case, where its a very simple spot illustration where you want to the story to "read" quickly without going for drama or anything, it isn't a bad choice IMO.

[anthemsweet]

@Sarah-LuAnn Thank you. Yes, I was thinking vignette/spot illustration, and I couldn't really think of a better way to say what I wanted to say with a more dramatic set up/pose. I'm so accustomed to just putting a simple image in the middle of a page without a real background and then drawing my heart out, actually having two birds and two umbrellas and trying to make them work together was a challenge for me. I'm trying hard to wrap my head around all I'm learning about composition on SVS, and trying to stretch myself.

[Charlie Eve Ryan]

I think this is absolutely adorable. If you are concerned about the size issue which is minor. Maybe add in a sweet little baby bird looking up between them. Or peeking around from behind the mama bird. It may balance it out and add a nice element of three birds and two umbrella, odd numbers are appealling.

But I love the pencil quality and the birds expression and outfits, really nicely captured!

[mattramsey]

I like them--great drawing!

[Carrie]

You have a really distinct style. I think it is delicate and charming. I love your details... the rain, newspaper, bow tie...precious!

[anthemsweet]

@Charlie-Eve-Ryan Thank you. I think you are right, and it is the even number of things that has me feeling not quite settled about this drawing.

[anthemsweet]

@mattramsey Thank you!

[anthemsweet]

@Carrie Thank you. I'm glad you like it!

[Rich Green]

@anthemsweet I just received the Illustration Friday weekly email and congrats on this image being their pick of the week!

Link to the web version of the email below:
https://madmimi.com/p/f4d657?fe=1&pact=63353-129979886-6966034774-396efc94c0852fdc634d42d30d4865d57afa6089

[DanetteDraws]

YAY, Illustration Friday pick of the week! Just saw the email too. Wonderful! I so love this illustration, so sweet.

[Sarah LuAnn]

I just saw it too! So awesome, well done!

[anthemsweet]

@DanetteDraws Oh my goodness! I'm in shock! Thanks for telling me!

[anthemsweet]

@Rich-Green I can't believe it!

[anthemsweet]

@Sarah-LuAnn Thank you!

[Charlie Eve Ryan]

Woot woot....big congrats! It is really lovely!

[anthemsweet]

@Charlie-Eve-Ryan Thank you!

[bharris]

Just stunning. You have a wonderful subtle way with pencil I always love what you post!

[Christina Brown]

Just lovely! I like seeing pencil drawings!

[anthemsweet]

@bharris Thank you so much! That's really encouraging to hear!