Owl #55 is an updated version of owl #12. I redrew this on on a whim just because I thought it would be fun. I think it’s interesting to see how my style has changed since I started this project.
The biggest difference between these two illustrations is how i painted the fog. The fog in #12 was a last minute addition and was painted with gouache over top the illustration. Since the fog in #55 was planned from the start I used watercolor and the white of the paper, which I personally prefer.
My owls have changed too over time. They are a lot easier for me to draw now for one thing. Their shapes, still simplified, are much more anatomically correct compared to the early ones – mainly because I just have fun drawing them this way at the moment.
You can find new prints of owl #55 in the shop here:
5×7″ and 8×10″ Prints
11×14″ Prints
Art
Christmas Night Owl
Owl, moss, and snow drawing
Owl #53
Owl on moss cliffs
Owl 53 is another owl found in Iceland, the Short-eared Owl. I’ve drawn this one sitting on moss covered cliffs with falling snow. Liking the subtle variations of greens in this one.
You can find single cards and card sets in my shop.
Snowy Owl Iceland Art
Owl #52
Snowy Owl in Iceland
India ink and watercolor
A Snowy Owl flying over a grassy landscape with a small grass roofed cottage. Snowy Owls are one of the three owls found in Iceland. This illustration is the month of March in my 2016 owl calendar.
Owl and Starry Night Sky Watercolor Painting
An owl flying across a star filled sky with a band of the Milky Way. India ink and watercolor. Used some masking fluid with this one for the stars and then went back with more watercolor to get some added depth once I took it up – somewhat time intensive but I’m happy with the effect.
Prints are up in the shop now! You can find them here: Owl and Starry Sky Print
Great Horned Owl Desert illustration
Owl #50
Great Horned Owl in Desert
Prints available here
A grayish Great Horned Owl subspecies, found in the southwest and western US. I drew this one in a Southwestern desert, surrounded by Saguaro Cactus, Agave, and Scrub brush.
Barn Owl and Frosty Fields watercolor illustration
Owl #49
Owl and Frost
watercolor and ink
Prints available here
Owl 49 is a flying Barn owl, gliding over frosty Winter fields. Very pleased with how the soft colors and whites turned out in this one. One of my personal favorites that will be going into my 2016 calendar.
Owl and Campfire – camping illustration
Owl #48
Owl and Campsite
watercolor and ink
Prints available here
Owl 48 is a little owl flying past a campsite with a tent and campfire.
Owl and Squirrel drawing
Five Fun Owl Facts
One fun part about this project is learning about the owls I draw, all the different species, the places they live, and the unique behaviors and characteristics. Here’s a little list of some interesting owl facts, illustrated with some of my past drawings.
1. Burrowing Owls catch food in a variety of ways including chasing it across the ground on foot. They will also swoop down from the air or a perch or catch prey in mid flight.
2. The Great Gray Owl’s scientific name, Strix nebulosa, means nebulous, clouded, or foggy. This owl is often described as ghostlike, it’s coloring camouflages it in the lichen covered trees of the northern boreal forests where it lives.
3. Great Gray Owls are the longest owl from head to tail, although the Great Horned Owl weighs more, and the Snowy Owl weighs about twice as much. Much of the Great Gray Owl’s bulk comes from its feathers which helps it survive in the cold forests of the north.
4. Owls that nest in tree cavities rely on reusing old nest holes created by woodpeckers. The small Northern-Pygmy Owl prefers Hairy Woodpecker nests. Woodpeckers are a keystone species that provide nesting cavities for many other species as well, including bluebirds, pine martens, squirrels, ducks, and other small birds and mammals.
5. Saguaro cacti provide nesting sites for many types of owls and birds. Elf Owls, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls, and Western Screech Owls will use old woodpecker holes in saguaros and Great Horned Owls may nest in the crook of the cacti. Nests in these cacti have the added benefit of protective spines.
Hope you enjoyed reading! If you want to check out some more interesting facts check out my previous post, 10 Fun Owl Facts.