#688 Elk review

Elk (wapiti) are common where I live in Wyoming.

Shown below, are images of this magnificent member of the deer family.    

Wind River Descent

Below, is a photo taken of elk about two miles from our cabin on the Wyoming/Colorado border.
This image was taken two weeks ago . . . a major snowstorm was imminent and the herd was leaving the high country.

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.  

See post #616

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#687 Wild Turkey Review

This week's blog celebrates the Wild Turkey.

Below, are images of drawings, etchings, sculpture, and photos depicting America's Wild Turkey.

.

 Tom

 Jake

Turkey Bookends

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.  

See post #616

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#686 New sculpture: "Silver Wings - Trumpeter Swan"

   "Silver Wings - Trumpeter Swan" is a new sculpture introduced in Cody this fall.  Please go to the search box and type in trumpeter swan for more information about the creation of this work . . . drawings and photos are shown. 

 Below are images of the work in progress in clay and the finished sculpture cast in bronze.

Shown below . . .  the flexible rubber mold in progress.

Shown below . . . silver nitrate being applied during the patina process at the foundry.

Shown below . . . two images of the completed and based bronze casting.

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.  

See post #616

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#685 In the studio: Eyes. . . predator or prey?

Whether your creation is human or animal, every figurative artist should have an understanding of eyes.  

It's important to know the difference between an animal that is a predator or a prey species.
Once this information is processed . . . eye location become logical:  See and be seen.

Predator animals such as a wolf, lion, bear, cat, dog, and human have forward-facing eyes that are placed 

on the front of the head while animals that are preyed upon have eyes that are on the side of the head.  

Preyed upon animals include rabbits, mice, deer. antelope, zebras, horses, and more.

The same is true of birds:  Birds of prey include eagles, hawks, and owls and have eyes located on the 

front of their heads.  Most other birds have eyes on the side of their heads and are preyed upon.

When you research your subject, pay special attention to the eyes and where they are located.

Ask yourself . . . is this critter the hunter or the hunted?

Below, are images of predator eyes.

Below, are images of prey eyes.

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.  

See post #616

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#684 In the field: Pronghorn Antelope and Sage Grouse

The "in the field" experience is a necessity for the wildlife artist.  There's no way to convince your viewer that your work is authentic unless you've been there yourself.  Autumn is a special time to be in the field for many reasons . . .

 especially if an artist is in search of game for studio reference as well as meat for the table.

Trish and I both drew antelope doe tags this year and were successful in putting meat in the freezer for the winter.  Wyoming antelope country is austere, vast, and beautiful.   After we filled our tags, we returned to our 

 hunting area several times with the cameras to collect photo reference material and to experience the animals.  

Below, are images taken this September and October.

Below, are images of Sage Grouse.  The big bird is not on the endangered species list but could be soon.
A great time to photograph them is in the spring during mating season . . . the male has a spectacular display!

We do not hunt them for the table . . . only with a camera. Also, from what I understand, they're not very good eating and I'm spoiled with the succulent Ruffed Grouse we hunt in the north country.  Our Brittany, Penny loves to find them after the day's hunt and I was able to photograph the secretive birds last month for reference material that will be used in the studio.  I'm currently working on a new antelope sculpture and a Sage Grouse composition is mentally in the works.  

Below, is an image of an early antelope sculpture created in the 1990s.

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.  

See post #616

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish