What, No Poultry??????

The bird flu has exacted another casualty - no birds at the fair!  The 'powers that be' determined early that it was too risky to bring birds from all over the state to a single location during the bird flu epidemic.

Initial hen sketch.  Pencil, white china marker, and water color paint on brown Strathmore 400 series paper. 

Hen sketch with background added.  Pencil, white china marker, and water color paint on brown Strathmore 400 series paper. 

I think it is very interesting to note that there are attributes of this hen that look very different than the initial sketch, and yet the only difference is the background color.  Note to self:  background matters!

Hen sketch with the addition of India ink.  Pencil sketch, with white china marker, and water color paint on brown Strathmore 400 series paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

In this third image, the only addition is the black India ink using the Pentel Pocket pen.  The image goes from looking artistic to looking cartoonish.  By changing the line of the bottom beak, the hen even conveys the message that she is sad about not being able to convene with friends at the 2015 fair.  What, no tears???

After studying the progression of the hen images, I decided that I just couldn't stop (even though this was intended to be a QUICK sketch,) with the black India ink swiped in, as seen in image three.  I broke open the gouache tubes of paint (had to find them first,) and continued to enhance the hen to get her to a visual place I liked better.

Hen sketch using B6 pencil, watercolor paint,  black India ink applied with a Pentel Pocket pen, AND the addition of gouache to refine and add more intense color.  Click on image to enlarge.

This fourth hen image was the result of adding gouache in some places.  I tried to stay true to my first intent, and keep the work quick and gestural.   I would call this "chick" better but not  best!  Another hour and I think I would be happy with her..........NOT going to happen!