Call of the Raven

I admit that from the moment I started planning this raven painting that I was unsure what to title it.  While I was uploading photos of the work in progress it occurred to me to name it “Call of the Raven”. This makes sense as it is certainly cawing about something. I did quite a bit of research with my good friend Google to find out “what do you call a group of ravens?”  

The search came back with a few possibilities such as “unkindness, constable, conspiracy and parliament”. I played with “Call to Parliament” but when I tested it with a few friends they really didn’t understand it even after I explained it a few times . Clearly that name was not going to work.  Remember I had to Google it too?

I am working from a couple of reference photos I took this year while in Yellowstone National Park. The ravens were very tame and let me get really close to them to take their photos. I worked hard to capture them in such a way as to capture their iridescence colours.  They remind me of a pewter carving. Or is it iron ore?  I love the subtle colour variations.  And I have enough material to paint for a year.  More ravens are sure to follow! This is a 1/4 sheet transparent watercolour. The various stages are shown below.  

I was so darn sure I would be able to finish this weekend but I developed a kink in my neck from leaning over my drafting table order to work in pretty meticulous detail. Time to change my posture. Current working on the face area, then on to the shoulders and the rest of the wing. Back at it tomorrow!   

The colours I am using are shown in the side image. Only I am not using Davy’s gray after all as I keeping this painting transparent.