Thursday 10 April 2014

Pied Piper

 Pied Piper
Watercolour / Gouache
24 x 31cm

Here's 'Pied Piper' finished, he seems to be playing a jaunty little number to go with his outlandish get-up.

Again this was another challenge for me, to date I have never completed a satisfactory medieval street. I can only guess the multiple storeys each one overlapping the one below is the main architectural detail I tend to struggle depicting. However reference is key and I managed to use a few old illustrations for guidance and a photograph of St John's alley in Devizes which I took years ago.

Lots of gouache went into the chickens to help define their features and bring the wing forward on the front hen. I was also pleased with the shadow being cast over the brood of chickens in the middle-ground which contrasts nicely with the birds farther back in bright sunlight (but also a lighter tonal range to suggest atmospheric perspective).

2 comments:

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Hi Chris,
I am sure I have said this before, but this illustration is one of my favorites.. I believe you have captured all that you were striving for.
Beautiful work!
fondly,
Penny

Chris Dunn said...

Thanks Penny.