Overview –
My Inquiry Project will focus on art, as each week I will explore a different medium while working with birds as subject matter. I was recently given a massive book on birds by an older gentleman who frequents my workplace. Over the years we have chatted quite a bit and given each other many artistic-related gifts. I will be using multi-media cards as my base for the artwork, as I will give them away as I go. I’d like to try watercolour and acrylic gouache, calligraphy pen, lino cut printing, oil paint, pastels, markers, neocolour crayons, and pencil crayons. If any other mediums catch my eye along the way I’d be happy to switch one out for something more complex or interesting. Along with the painting, I’ll upload some information on the bird I’ve chosen, and the medium selected – challenges or notes for future use. I’ve said on many occasions, although jokingly, that the best part of being an artist is making personal birthday/holiday cards for my loved ones. It’ll be nice to think of someone as I paint, and while I don’t have any reason to give anyone anything I’m sure it will be somewhat fun to receive.
Week One –
This week I worked in watercolour gouache, focusing on the Eurasian Tree Sparrow, found commonly in Southeast Asia but has been introduced in the USA and Europe. Its habitat is farmland and woodland, as it enjoys a scattered treeline. It reminds me of a brown chickadee, and it is roughly the same size, if not a bit bigger. They favour nesting in buildings, cliff faces, and holes in trees.
The watercolour gouache I used is the Winsor and Newton variety, which I struggled with slightly due to not having a full set (it is hard to get my hands on the individual tubes, Michaels stopped selling them). I do like getting by with less colour-wise sometimes, as it forces me to rely on mixing more efficiently than just using what is available. I’d love an olive green though and I think it would have helped quite a bit. I like these paints as they are a bit more opaque than regular watercolour, but layer similarly. Once dry, they become a bit chalky, and they worked well with the mixed media paper. The first card I made is for Cal, as he provided the inspiration for the project, and I am probably due to give him something in return. I imagine he would also like to hear about the project.
This was a fun bird to start with, I am more familiar with local birds and look forward to expanding my knowledge on more birds from other countries. While choosing this project, I wanted to ensure it was something I could comfortably complete each week and use for future reference. I’d like to use some of the materials I already own but invest in a few things I don’t.
