Couple of Fowls

About this time last year, I hosted a colouring competition. I did not get very many entries (3) and I chose the winner and sent them their reward. However, as part of that competition, I uploaded the entry form into my blog. And whilst I did write the closing date on it (14 December) I neglected to also write the year.

Consequently, about two weeks ago, in my inbox, what should turn up but two beautifully coloured pictures. I decided not to wait until the 14th, and since the competition was over, I would make them both a little something (since they were siblings, and it would be mean to reward one and not the other). So I asked their dad what their favourite animals were.

He replied that they liked chickens, particularly the brown Shavers breed, which I believe they keep.
So I decided that they needed a pair - a rooster and a hen.
These were drawn while watching "Under the Dome" and then inked and partly coloured using some finetip pens I happened to have handy. Colouring pencils were then applied to give a bit more depth of colour. The rooster might not be a true brown Shavers, but I reckon he's a fine fella.

I hope they enjoy their cards, and that the children can decide on one each!

Creature Feature #13: Alpaca

The Alpaca of Peru is a domesticated species - there are no known wild populations in existence. It has been farmed for thousands of years by the native people of South America, specifically for its thick coat of luxurious fibre, not unlike wool. Small and stockier than their cousins, the llama, alpaca were not bred to be beasts of burden. Instead they are farmed for their coat and, occasionally, their meat. There are over 52 different natural colours available in their “wool”.

They are vocal creatures, that live in large family groups, lead by an alpha male. Although their defensive behaviour is called “spitting” it is more akin to vomitting, as it contains stomach matter. They use a communual dung pile and, allegedly, can be house trained.

This is the first entirely domesticated species I have unwittingly illustrated as part of my Animal Alphabet. When I reach the “V”s I will illustrate their probable ancestor, the Vicuna.

C is for Cow

Hostess gift for the "Illuminated alphabet" swap

Merino

The Merino sheep is a breed of sheep that is famous in New Zealand. It is a great, shaggy sheep producing a goodly quantity of warm, thick wool. One sheep in particular made headlines a few years ago. Named "Shrek", this castrated male sheep evaded mustering for six years, living in a cave in the high country. When they found him he was a great, big, shaggy, matted mess of wool. He was carrying around 27 kgs of the stuff! If he lived anywhere but NZ he probably would have been eaten by wolves or otehr predators, if they could find him under that wool. Only in New Zealand can a sheep become famous just because he lived as a hermit for 7 years. Shrek has retired from the limelight now, but is currently touring NZ to make a new book. If he was not a media-love, he would have been turned to mutton. So, go Shrek!

PS: This is not Shrek, as I drew it with horns, Shrek doesn't have them - presumerably because he's castrated.

A Shadow in the Night

On silent wings, these two monstrosities make their way through the darkness. One, the Horned CatBat favours the dry deserts, where it hunts flying insects and the occasional small rodent. The other, the Moonaguar, flies on silent wings through the lush and verdant rainforests, preying on sleeping birds and pouncing on nocturnal mammals.

Horned Lizard + Tabby Cat + Fruit Bat
and
Madagascar Moon Moth + Jaguar
Two more chimerical hybrid ATCs.

Prismacolors and polychromos pencils, with some gel pens and fineliners for emphasis.


This Black horse (with a white mane, a rare but sometime occurance), is going to trot her way into Russia! She's clearly a prize winner already. Although I'm not sure what a blue and red ribbon means.

Swine Flew!

4x4 Chunky page - theme = "zetti pigs". For OuP.