Great Horned Owl

A coworker left his sketchbook in the breakroom at work a couple of weeks ago with a note on the top page, "Draw on me!" He passed word around that he'd like all his coworkers to draw in his sketchbook as a way to "remember" us. No, he's not leaving, but I thought it was a cool idea.

I told him I'd need longer than a break or lunch time to do a drawing, and asked if I could bring his sketchbook home for a couple of days. He said yes, so on the day I picked it up, a napkin was on top with a note scrawled on it: "Someone please draw a tree with owls in it for Renee. Thanks!"

An owl seemed as good of a subject matter as any, so I pulled up a few stock photos off Google and went to work. After I finished, I wrote on the napkin, "Renee, is this acceptable?" and left it on the breakroom table. I was overwhelmed with the compliments I received. One coworker said, "Your owl is beautiful! I wouldn't have left it in the book if it was me!" I laughed. What good is artwork if you don't share it?

Anyway, progress photos are below. As always, feel free to leave comments and feedback.



Getting started. This is vine charcoal on paper.



More details to the face.

Feathers and details to the wings and body, and laying in the branches and leaves.

I use a "packing peanut" to blend the charcoal because it gives a much smoother finish than my fingertip. Plus it's less messy.

Darkening the values.

Yes, drawing with charcoal takes almost as many layers as oil or acrylic paint.

Close up of the face. Hmm ... still needs a little something ...

...so I added a bit of yellow and orange to the eyes with some colored pencils.

The drawing took 5 hours to complete and is my first charcoal of 2011.

I can do other wildlife as well. I'm pretty good at horses, too (check my 2010 archives for "A Mother's Love"), so if you have a pet or other animal you'd like to have drawn, please contact me at stepmercjohn@gmail.com or call 719-237-1273 for pricing or other information.

Thanks for looking!