#255 In the studio: Drawing and shape

Painters paint what they see; sculptors sculpt what they know.

The bird sculptor must know and understand bird anatomy and the major feather groups.

Break your subject down into simple shapes.  When looking at your subject, instead of seeing feathers, you'll see the ovals that makes up the large body shape and scapular feather groups.  Notice the circle shape of the head and the triangular shape that defines the nape and the rump.  The feather groups of the wing should be simplified and understood. Keep your drawing simple.  Shapes make up the whole.

#240 Southwest Art: Ten Most Prominent

To see the complete article in the May, 2012 issue, go to:

southwestart.com

#235 Remarque: "Red-tailed Hawk at Sappa Creek"

I started modeling a red-tailed hawk years ago.  During those years I would occasionally tweak it but the desire to finish the work was not there.  All of that changed in 2007, after visiting with Howard Terpning at the Autry Masters of the American West Show.  In an
early book, entitled The Art of Howard Terpning, I had read about his painting, Digging in 

at Sappa Creek, and asked about his research.  He explained that a Cheyenne holy man, whose spirit guide was the red-tailed hawk, was killed by army troops at Sappa Creek and that every afternoon the holy man’s spirit came back to the site in the form of a hawk.  Howard had visited the site in northwestern Kansas and described his intense feelings as
a hawk kept calling and circling around him.  The story captivated me.  Energized, I too, visited Sappa Creek.  As I surveyed the lonesome site, I heard a breathtaking cry of a
red-tailed hawk circling above me.  At that moment, I was compelled to complete the work.

Saturday, during the opening of Howard Terpning's Tribute to the Plains People Exhibition at the Autry Museum, a film presentation and question and answer session was held in the auditorium.  Howard, again, spoke about the Sappa Creek incident.  His voice broke and tears came to his eyes while telling the story.  I, as well as everyone in the room, was overwhelmed by the emotional tale of the tragic event.

At left, I'm standing next to Terpning's painting, Digging In At Sappa Creek. After visting the site in northwestern Kansas, the award winning sculpture Red-tailed Hawk at Sappa Creek was completed.   

theautry.org/exhibitions/terpning

Red-tailed Hawk at Sappa Creek

42”H 30”W 25”D  

#171 In the studio: Composition and design con't . . .

The dominant element in a composition can be part of a single figure.

There should be as few secondary elements as possible 

and these should be arranged to support the main interest.
Typically, the head and eyes are the main interest in a composition with a single figure.

Red-tailed Hawk Alert

20"H 13"W 15"D

#25 Remarque: "Reflection and Resolve"

Two works with the same theme are being presented on this day - the tenth anniversary of the attack on our country. The symbolism of the hawk heads conveys an underlying meaning.

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

Reflection and Resolve Bookends
8"H 14"W 6"D

 Go to the BLOG INDEX on the right for more information.

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

#12 Remarque: "Red-tailed Hawk Alert"

This large, broad-winged hawk often perches along road sides on fence posts or in trees and hunts mainly mammals.
  
Each individual bird species has unique shapes and characteristics.  The artist who recognizes this individuality can achieve, for instance, an unmistakable "hawk-ness", a "falcon-ness" or an "eagle-ness" in their sculpture.  If it's a hawk, it must shout HAWK!


The most important characteristic of an animal must be grabbed and perceived by the viewer at once.  The secret to the "grab" is to choose a pose or gesture that is typical of or even unique to that animal.

Red-tailed Hawk Alert
20"H 13"W 15"D
Ed. size 35
6200

Red-tailed Hawk Alert
20"H 13"W 15"D
Ed. size 35
6200

Go to the BLOG INDEX on the right for more information.

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