[Art] The Kirin Moon-Sickle

[moonvoice]

The Kirin Moon-Sickle bird of paradise, found in the Tamao islands, is perhaps the showiest of all moon-sickles. Named after the Japanese kirin both for its mythological sacredness to the Tamaoan people, and its resemblance of their representation of the kirin.

Unlike other birds of paradise, the Tamaoan people refuse to hunt the Kirin Moon-Sickle, despite it's magnificent breeding plumage. Those birds found killed from the predation of other animals, who dead for other reasons, are given formal burial rights. It is thought that the spirits of Kirin Moon-Sickle go on to become royal Kirin in the afterlife. Its rarely heard, melodious call is thought to transport spirits of the dead to their final peaceful resting place.

The Kirin Moon-Sickle lives almost entirely off the crimson berry-reeds and the insects that are found upon them, which fruit all year round. Despite these berries being poisonous to all other birds, the Kirin Moon-Sickle is actually the berry-reed's primary pollinator.

Here the Kirin Moon-Sickle is shown with a potential mate, in its rarely glimpsed circle pose, the final display before successful courtship. This pose shows off its most ornate head plumage, and unbroken iridescence.



The scan:



I took a photo as well, to show off the iridescence and metallic paint once more. This picture is insane when the light hits it.





This picture will be available as a print from my DeviantArt Store. Additionally, the original is for sale. Please email me at ophelias.diary@gmail.com to enquire about the price.

21 x 29.7 cm (or 8.3 x 11.7 in)
Crescent Illustrator's Board, Fineliner, Aquarelle, Metallic + Iridescent Acrylic, Pencil.

Comments

[singingnettle.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is really gorgeous.

[singingnettle.livejournal.com]

I used to be an illustrator and I did a lot of intricate pen-and-ink with watercolor and the like. I don't think I ever did anything quite that nice, though! I don't illustrate anymore because I have fibro and it's trashed my ability to hold a pen or pencil etc., so I've moved to photography.

[elnigma.livejournal.com]

This. So pretty!

[lupabitch.livejournal.com]

Gah--forgive me if I don't have good enough words to describe this?

[erynn999.livejournal.com]

Your talent continues to stun and amaze me.

[dulcimergoddess.livejournal.com]

absolutely gorgeous!

[starla80.livejournal.com]

Want! If I come into some money, which I think I might, I really want to buy this. Gorgeous.

[mycala.livejournal.com]

Damn, girl, just when I think you've reached perfection you outdo yourself all over again!

[scarletwildfire.livejournal.com]

I second this. :D

[aleia-kali.livejournal.com]

omg that is absolutely gorgeous

[snowymoon.livejournal.com]

Wow.

That is just amazing.

[bewylderbeast.livejournal.com]

I have no words. >_<.

[heathwitch.livejournal.com]

Holy hell. That is delicious! :)

[firehauke.livejournal.com]

Oh P, this is GORGEOUS!

This time, you can even see the iridescence in the paint on the scan!

just wow!

[forest-choir.livejournal.com]

So beautiful...

[silere.livejournal.com]

!!!! What else can i say? !!!!! <3<3<3

This is amazing. I could never come up with such a great composition. Everything about this is perfect to me.

[earthguardian.livejournal.com]

wow, that's amazing!!!

*inarticulate vowel sounds of joy and squealing*

[zuki-san.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow. I suspect this is something like a $200 dollar painting or more...I can't afford it, but I need to know. I might save up for it.

Just..yeah, wow. The iridescence is gorgeous and I love the russet autumn-y colours, they remind me of October here in the northern hemisphere...

Also dig the asian style and feel of the piece, very much so.

And I like the little faux-naturalist blurb too! (Really, that little bit of detail kinda helps to make the painting!)

[spiralunwinding.livejournal.com]

Stunning detail and colors! The photo you took is perfect for hinting at the shine of the gold - just absolutely beautiful.

[zuki-san.livejournal.com]

I know. It's positively luminous.

[eldriwolf.livejournal.com]

Oh. Dear.
--There are No words!
WOW ! Thank you!

[ne1love.livejournal.com]

...................

Sorry I could not breathe... you took my breath away with this one....

[liondaughter.livejournal.com]

Wow. This is amazingly beautiful.

Whenever you finish golden eagle (and take your time), if no one's claimed it yet, I'm going to put dibs in. (Which feels odd given that I'm not the one who requested it, but there you go.) :)

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

You have first dibs. I actually have the outline for golden eagle already drawn, :) in fact the next five are drawn / composed. It's just the rigours of the actual detail that I've been putting off while my hands are still a little shaky.

I think I can start working on them again now, just more slowly than I'm used to.

[die-uberfrau.livejournal.com]

Oooh, the Colors

[perzephone.livejournal.com]

I love the way the photo makes the picture look so much more autumnal, with bronzes and oranges and sunset colors. The scan is stunning, too, but the sepia-ness of the photo just is totally eye-catching.

[mirrorred-star.livejournal.com]

It looks stunning with the all that metallic paint... The red colouring in the backgound looks awesome as well.

[nwallopan.livejournal.com]

you've outdone yourself

[sotepetsenu.livejournal.com]

Good lord. Will you marry me?!