Colors Can Support Your Message.......

It can be really fun to transition from the traditional colors of the block image, such as the range of pinks in the flamingo, to an unexpected color to convey a different message - i.e. - the final purpose.  It is also helpful to know a little history or data about the original image because it can be useful in to manipulated image.....

For example, the salmony-pink flamingo is pink because of the food it eats.  Flamingoes are filter-feeders.  They have a highly specialized beak that separates mud and silt from the brine shrimp and blue-green algae that is their primary diet.  The pinkish color of their body and feathers comes from carotenoids in what they eat.  The higher the percentage of carotenoid-rich food, the more intense the color of the bird.  What a phenomenal example of YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!

A fun way to play on this flamingo food fact is to change the traditional flamingo color.......

"You Are What You Eat - the Blueberry Flamingo" - Black Daniel Smith relief ink with Derwent Inktense pencils activated with water. 

Of course the play of flamingory works the best if the viewer knows the source of pink in the native bird.  Think of the fun you could have with a range of colors added to the basic block image........

How about the caption:

"Meredith flamingo had longed to live the life of a Monarch butterfly, and switched her diet to the pollen cuisine......"
OR
"....Meredith became the new spokes-bird for Tropicana Orange Juice and, as you can see, she's seedless.."  ...well....you get it........

"You Are What You Eat - Pollen Flamingo"  Ranger stamp in, black India ink ans FW acrylic inks.