This month’s Valentine’s day was the inspiration behind this quick piece. A pair of swans on a calm lake…
Swans are fascinating birds with many qualities that grant them the title of ‘love birds’. The majority of swans mate for life. They create strong monogamous bonds with their partners at an early age and devote their lives to raising their young. They are majestic, elegant creatures that turn vicious when they feel their family might be in danger. They’ve also been reported to literally ‘die of broken heart’ if they loose their partner as they actively seek to end their life.
The devotion, the strength of the bond and dedication to protecting those they love…it is not hard to see why swans are considered the love birds.
I really enjoyed painting the pair, trying to make them look realistic. For the water/lake I used the ‘diamond hull’ brush painted on a guide to keep it level. This brush worked really well as it gave not only the transparency of water but it also had a slight movement resembling that of moving water.
To add a bit more dimension, I drew the swans’ shadows. I am really happy with how that turned out. It looks more realistic and brings it to life.
I want to come back to this piece and add more in terms of the surrounding scenery like stones, grasses, maybe a weeping willow towering over the pond…
In the meaning time…peaceful sailing, you pair of devoted, majestic, feathered creatures!
“Love is not merely a feeling; It’s a commitment. It is not defined by emotion nearly as much as it is by devotion.”
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