The Eye Of The Storm-Goshawk Study

Ahhh the raptors. There is nothing quite like the surity of a swooping raptor with its shrill cry and lightening speed.

I am constantly amazed by the difference in the animals around us, and the goshawk is an study in swiftness. It is a smaller version of its cousion the hawk, allowing its streamlined body to zip in and around thick forests with amazing clarity and speed.

I decided once again to focus on the eye. With its brilliance and sharpness, there is nothing quite like it anywhere else.

I developed this piece on pastel paper with pastels (cant remember the brand) and Q-tips, and it took me approximately 15 hrs to complete.

The progression takes place from top left to bottom right.

To start off, I outlined my work area with white graphite, so as to not have to deal with erasing any regular lead graphite lines, and run the risk of smudging the pastel. I choose the blue paper to signify the sky, where birds are the most free. As usual, I began with the eye. I laid down the underlying color of the eye, and then topped it off with the black pupil and the striations of color the run from the pupil outwards. In between adding layers of color, I brush it lightly with a Q-tip.

After leaving the eye for the time being, I then move to the beak. Once again, I laid the colors in layers, from the background forward.

After the colors were blended together, I added the highlights for the beak to give it the 3D look.

I then start to work my way back over the top feathers above the beak, as well as I start to lay in the color for the side fringe of sensitive hairs on the side of the face. After the top of the head is mostly completed, I work on the brow and surrounding eye surface. The brow plays an important part in defining the individuality of this raptor. It must convey strength, and in some ways, a measure of hostility.

And now the majority of the feathers, shadowing and touchups. I use a Q-tip due to the fact that I dont trust that my skin oils will not effect the final resulting color and softness I am trying to achieve. The Q-tip allows me to pull the pigments out and feather them, creating a softness that one can almost touch. Then I add some simple highlights to the feathers, and I am complete.