#755 Work in progress - Pair of Doves

I hear them every day outside my studio window:

Here's this mornings effort . . . a clay sketch of a pair of doves - the bird of peace.

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

#507 Throw on another log . . . whisper

There really are no hard, fast rules or principles of design, 
but simplicity, harmony, and subtlety can be a guide.  
Sculpture does not have to shout - it can whisper.

It's possible to put as much, if not more, 
vitality into a sculpture of an animal in a tranquil pose as in 
one depicting violent action.  The viewer can tire of the latter.  

A work of art combines composition, proportion,
and the arrangement of shapes and form to lead
the view to an artistic conclusion.

The greatest expression is communicated through the largest shapes.
The sculptor must say as much as possible with the large forms before being concerned with detail.

There's no technique or trick that can be taught to explain how to create a good, strong shape.

The theory must be felt or sensed to be understood by both the viewer and the artist.

Just as a whisper makes one listen more closely, one looks with greater understanding at uncomplicated
sculptural statements.  Power is gained through simplicity and simple shapes tell greater truths.

Below, are sculptures of quiet poses, modeled from life . . . the style,

sentiment, and spirit was derived from the subject.

Preening Cat

Solitude

Sleepy Fox

Cougar at Ease

Eclipse

To learn more about the subjects in this blog go to the links below.  
For a complete list of the blog index go to the Index Page and 
type the subject in the Search This Blog link on the right.

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

#428 In the studio: Bird anatomy, con't . . .

Please start this bird anatomy series with post #403, March 10.

Below is a clarified drawing of a hawk with folded wings.  

Feather groups such as coverts impart definite shape, form, and thickness to the bird.
Feather groups are critical information to understand because they shape the contour of the bird . . .
Feathers modify the skeletal configuration considerably.

Every bird has the same groupings, from the tiny songbird to the largest hawk.

Below are two recent works.

Solitude depicts a quiet pose with closed wings . . .
notice how the stiff primaries separate the dove's tail feathers.

Reflection and Resolve shows various feather groupings around the head.

 Solitude
10"H 10"W 8"D

Reflection and Resolve
7"H 8"W 6"D


All sculpture and drawings - copyright Sandy Scott

#419 In the studio: Bird anatomy, con't .

Please start this bird anatomy series with post #403, March 10.

The bird's tail is actually a combination of left and right tail feathers.  One side cannot be spread without  the other spreading also but each side can move up and down independently.  Because of the two sides, there are always an even number of tail feathers.

The bird's tail is shaped differently depending on the species and how nature intended the bird to live and eat:  

The function of the tail is braking, steering, balance, aerodynamic lift, display, and signaling.

Below is an illustration showing several basic tail shapes for different bird species: 

                  1.  Square - starling or nuthatch             5.  Pintail - duck

                  2.  Cleft - Finch                                       6.  Wedge - raven

                  3.  Deep forked - tern or swallow            7.  Fantail - cuckoo

                  4.  Spiked feathers - woodpecker           8.  Elongated center feathers - bee-eater  

There are also variations, such as rounded (crow), pointed (mourning dove),
graduated (magpie), and several unique . . . such as roosters, peafowl, etc. 

    

Below is a recent sculpture of a Fantailed Pigeon . . . pigeons are in the dove family of birds.

Hearts Entwined 
12"H 22"L 11"D
Copyright - Sandy Scott


Below, detail . . . Hearts Entwined

All drawings and sculpture, copyright - Sandy Scott

#392 Happy Valentine's Day!

Hearts Entwined

Copyright, Sandy Scott 

#359 Remarque: "Hearts Entwined"

Solitude, reflection, goodwill, and resolve . . .

Hearts Entwined
12"H 22"W 11"D

Copyright, Sandy Scott

To send light into the darkness of
men's hearts - such is the duty 
of the artist.
                  - Robert A. Schumann

#252 Remarque: "Las Palomas Fountain"

Over the years, fountain design has been a significant part of my portfolio.
The Las Palomas Fountain depicts a flurry of doves surrounding tiered bronze basins.  The architectural elements are designed in the Mediterranean style.
The active birds supported by water treatment and elegant basin design presents visual excitement.  

The dramatic fountain can be seen at Whistle Pik Gallery in Fredericksburg, Texas and Wilcox Gallery in Jackson, Wyoming.

Las Palomas Fountain

76"H 

#195 In the studio: loose, con't . . .

"Loose", as it applies to technique,
is the ability to give an accurate impression 

in clay without precise modeling.  

"Loose" is how it looks, not how it's done.

                                           

 

Hearts Entwined  12"H 22"L 11"W  (detail below)

#154 Remarque "Solitude Fragment I & II"

The fragment or partial figure: Pursuit of essence.

Solitude Fragments I & II

11"H