Mourning Dove Watercolor
This week a mourning dove was wandering about my front yard. Instead of grabbing a camera and photographing the bird, I took my watercolor sketchpad (Travelogue Artist Watercolor Journal) and used a pencil and pen to draw the bird. I took it back in the house, added a little watercolor to the bird, went back out again to examine the mourning dove carefully. Yes, it did have those spots toward the tail. Yes, they were a shade of darkish gray. Yes, the beak was also darkish gray. Later I looked in my Birds of New Jersey Field Guide by Stan Tekiela and learned more:
Name comes from its mournful cooing. A ground feeder, bobbing its head as it walks. One of the few birds to drink without lifting head.
The one in my yard seemed to have a longer beak than the one pictured in the book.Also, I did not see the bright color in the head that Stan Tekiela showed in his photo. Adding a bit of lavender did seem to match the bird that I saw. However, as an artist one could also say using lavender was artistic license for either shadow or for gradations of hue or saturations.
Do you see birds in your yard? Do see distinguishing marks on the birds, whether color, spots or types of feathers?
LorriM says
This is so beautiful. I love how delicate she looks. You are so talented! ๐
LorriM says
The leaves, and their colors, also add beauty to the scene, and gracefulness to the mourning dove.
I see them in back of my patio, frequently. I lovevbirds, and enjoy watching them. They bring a sense of calm to my life.
leoraw says
Your comments bring calm to my life! Sometimes I have a hard time getting started painting again. Then I think: maybe Lorri will comment. Incentive! Thank you.
Kathy andrew says
Great way to capture this lovely bird. We often have them in our garden so I must try this. The smaller birds are all too quick
leoraw says
I hit it lucky this time. I have seen cardinals and blue jays recently. The little birds like nuthatches might be coming ... they come too fast. I did see what may have been a male purple or house finch, because there was some red.
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