Over the last several weeks, I have found myself obsessed with ravens -- not just their poses at rest, in flight, in combat, etc. Their anatomy, especially their skeletons, but also their musculature. Many books from the library, including a textbook on ornithology. And of course,
The Unfeathered Bird by Katrina van Grouw (which has a Rook, not the Common Raven, but they are very similar). And their history and symbology in myths and different cultures. Though I'm an amateur birder, I've never been very interested in painting or drawing birds before. I've also never been interested in over intellectualization of visual imagery. Previous studies/painting ideas now lie dormant in a studio corner. Somehow the raven images and inherent meanings seem more apropriate for me since the November debacle.
In any case, I continue to be obsessed. I've drawn lots of charcoal studies of ravens, the skull and parts of the skeleton. And I've started to paint them, initially monochromatically in oils and now this one in pastel. I'll post the oils later.
Raven's Howl (16x12 on Uart board)
