Here is the continuation of the eagle I have posted a few days ago on the "Charcoal and Pencil Drawings" forum

It's almost the first time I draw an animal and definetely the first time I try to draw such a complicated feather!
So, for a first try, I must say that I am really happy with this!

But I think it isn't quite the same as the original, I have a problem with the texture, it look a little like wool on a sheep ¨

Tell me if you feel the same or not. And also if you have an advice to improve my technique for the rest of the head I would also like to know how you would do the part I have enlarged 'cause when I draw these really small feather, they look like a collection of dots!

Thanks in advance for your precious help!

Bluesky

Well, we keep sheep and they don't look anything like your Eagle so I reckon you're on the right track

I really like the way that you are interpreting the photo and not blindly copying it.

There's no way that the eye cannot see your feathers as being feathers. You're doing a great job. And as for that troublesome area..... well, I'm not sure. But maybe that's the answer -- I've realised over the years that not everything is immediately understandable and nor should it be if we wish to preserve a feeling of reality. So I'd suggest that you draw this area with the texture that it appears to be to you. For me it looks a little like stubble and has a certain roughness to it. Whatever you draw it as, so long as you draw it with conviction and confidence, it's going to look right. The eye of the viewer will decide in each case what that area looks like to them -- and it really doesn't matter if they or you are correct. Play it down a little, keep it sharp and it will add subtle reality.

There's only one thing bothering me -- the rim around the eye stops abruptly. You have the advantage of having the original photo and I can't see into the shadow in the version you've posted, but I suspect that rim disappears into the shadow and I feel it should completely encircle the eye? Even if you removed the dark line around the end, I think this would help to blend the end more into the shadow area.

I'm looking forward to seeing this one progressing!

MIKE

www.SibleyFineArt.com
www.Starving-Artists.net

After having spent a lot of time on these feathers and also on this background... I think I can say this is finished.

Mike: "the rim around the eye stops abruptly. You have the advantage of having the original photo and I can't see into the shadow in the version you've posted, but I suspect that rim disappears into the shadow and I feel it should completely encircle the eye? Even if you removed the dark line around the end, I think this would help to blend the end more into the shadow area."

Thank you, I've had some problems with that area You were right, the rim disappears in the shadow and in my drawing it was quite abrupt. But it doesn't encircle the eye, it stops a little bit further so I blend it softly until we couldn't see it anymore.

Tell me what you think about this eagle, the critique is welcome. Do not hesitate to say something, I need to progress and it is a good way to learn!

I look forward to hearing from you about this!

Bluesky

JL

The troublesome area looks good. As I said, not everything in life is immediately understandable and the texture you've added here serves its purpose well - it satisfies the eye and allows it to pass on to something it does understand.

I'm assuming that the original is darker than shown here? Has more contrast? It needs it. The background is too dark and it's overpowering the drawing - alternatively the shadows in the drawing need to be darker to compensate. It looked fine until you added the background - which, personally speaking, I don't think was really required. I preferred the head as it was so that it received all the attention.

I apologise for taking liberties with your work but I've just tried pushing up the contrast and I'll think you'll see that this gives the drawing much more punch and brings the focus back to the Eagle.

But I do, in any case, admire your drawing. I've think you've done a great job. A consistent approach throughout and a good eye for small detail.

MIKE

www.SibleyFineArt.com
www.Starving-Artists.net

Thanks JL, Absolute, Vicklyn, Kevin and Mike!

The size is 27X36cm or 10.5X14in, I used HB and 2B on a bristol sheet, and blended with chamois and stumps.

I must agree with you, the feathers of the upper part of it's head are not as detailed and contrasted as they should be. Maybe I was a little tired of this eagle and wanted to finish it in a rush

About the background: I have been wondering if I had to add it or not and I choose to do so for 3 reasons: First of all, I am tired of white background and it does not exist in real life. Secondly, if I drew something (like trees or a landscape...) in the background, I think it would have taken the viewer's attention off of the eagle. And finally, I like it in the ref pic, I think it makes the head pops out of the drawing!

But, like you Mike, I wasn't really happy with the result I get! I think it is due to the fact that, unlike in the photo, my backgound is light grey and not black, and the head is more or less in the same tone (+ the fact that the feathers are not very contrasted) so everything looks the same and nothing pops out .

What I wanted is something like in the pic I've joined (arranged in photoshop). It's pushed a bit further than what Mike did. Do you think it's still possible to achieve a result like that? And how? Because darkening an area this big is not so easy... and to get a uniform black... I wonder if it is possible with graphite. Do you have a trick? And of course: Do you think it would be a good thing?
I've got a wild idea, but it would be a kind of cheating and I don't know if it would work anyway: when I will frame it I could put it under a dark glass...

Let me know what you think, I am currently working on the feathers to add some contrast but for the rest, I wait for all your precious advices.

Once again, thank you all for the critiques and the positive comments,

P.S. Mike, you had a good idea in "taking liberties with my work" There are absolutly no problems with that!

Bluesky