[Art] Commission: Crow @ Totem

[moonvoice]

Part of the commission series.

Crow as Totem
Prints and other things available here










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18.5 x 20.5cm (or 7.4 x 8 in)
illo's board, fineliner, aquarelle, pencil, metallic and iridescent paint

Comments

[earthguardian.livejournal.com]

I really liked how you shaded the thing on his chest. I don't know what to call it... the insignia? Anyway, it's really pretty.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

I call them glyphs, but insignia is good too. Thank you! :D

[anrui-ichido.livejournal.com]

Oooh, lovely colour and expression in this one. There's a distinct energy to the swirlies too. :)

[sonne-windsoul.livejournal.com]

I think this is my favorite corvid piece of yours (though some of the Raven ones come close), and something about it "feels" more like how Crow presents himself to me (how I perceive him), though I don't know exactly why, as I don't think it's just because this is American Crow. Nice, colorful background as well :). One of these days I may actually get myself to draw the image I've had in my mind for months to represent Crow, especially since I have such an oddly hard time finding art or photos that I feel well represent my perception of him--it's just a matter of getting my art muse to cooperate :/.

And I also loved the lineart of these four pieces, including the cross-hatching on Orca.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

It's amazing how many people have said it *feels* like American Crow, I've never met a crow, not at a zoo, or in person, and certainly not an American crow. So I love that this feels like one. :)

[zuki-san.livejournal.com]

Yep yep yep, this 'feels' like the Crow I know from all my college campuses and high schools. Abso-fuggin-lutely-love the colours used here.

And....that glyph is luminescent, isn't it? I see it lighting the edge of the wing there!

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Hee, luminescent glyphs!

So many people love the colouring in this one! I must admit, halfway through, I thought I'd botched it (between watercolouring and pencil overlay), but I should know by now that the ones that feel the most 'clashy' in the watercolour pencil stage, turn out the most awesome after pencilling.

[silverjackal.livejournal.com]

Oh, I really love the colours in this. All the iridescence of the bird, externalized! I also really like the green power spots. What does the colour mean in this context?

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

It's a very iridescent green, it reminds me of the flashes of phospherescence you can get in the sea. I don't know why, but this type of green felt very relevant to American Crow. I can't exactly explain why. Sometimes I *know* in detail. Sometimes I just get passing 'DO IT, THAT'S THE COLOUR YOU MUST USE.' Lol.

[ariestess]

I think this is going to be quite high on my list of favorites. The rainbow colors amuse me as I'm reading one of the "First People" books which mentions Many Colored Crow many times.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Oooo, that sounds really interesting.

[ariestess]

The books are by Kathleen O'Neal Gear & W. Michael Gear. I've seen the series listed both as First People and Forgotten People. They're fascinating books that chronicle various Native American tribes in pre-history. I have like 11 of the books and hope to have the entire series soon. You can get more info on them over here, which has author commentary on them.

The Gears weave a really continuity through the books, with the story of 2 brothers from the first book weaving through the rest as legend/lore for all of the tribes. One is usually called First Man, the other tends to get called Many Colored Crow in the later books. But they're not just legend by the later books, they're transformed into wolf and crow/raven. I can't say enough about the books.

[tsukikokoro.livejournal.com]

I'm seeing crows for the first time in so many months, and if you could capture the impression I was hit with yesterday morning heading to the car as a couple of crows burst out of the trees caw-cawing, it'd be this. Brilliant. :)

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

That's awesome. :D

[faerysprl.livejournal.com]

ooooh I love this.. the sign on it's chest it's so pretty... But even more because it feels like the Crow is turning to look at the viewer more closely. It's always interesting to be eyeballed by a Crow in real life and you really captured that. very cool.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Heh, with so many people at DA and here commenting about the personality of American crows, I think I'm gonna have to meet one, one day!

[sistahraven.livejournal.com]

I love the expression on his/her face. Strong, but inquisitive, too.

[paleo.livejournal.com]

Jaw. Literally. Dropped.
I think that is one of the best backgrounds you've ever done.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Wow, awesome!

[cariadwen.livejournal.com]

absolutely adore this, some how even with all the bright colours I get an earthy 3D feeling from it. How that works I have no idea!

[fadedwings]

I love this. The colors are gorgeous!

[mermaiden.livejournal.com]

Freakin' GLORIOUS.

[dragonsrmd.livejournal.com]

Stunning, and as soon as its payday I'm going to treat myself to a print :D

[sidheblessed.livejournal.com]

I can feel this warm, dignified energy radiating off of this guy.