I was not feeling immediately inspired by either prompt today and, since I don’t have time in the day to ruminate and await a visit from the inky muse, I decided to just crack on with my own thing. I definitely have a Halloween / monster / horror theme emerging in my Inktober sketchbook so I decided to continue in that vein without encroaching on the territory of future prompts. Since I recently convinced my oldest son to read the complete works of Edgar Allan Poe, I decided to draw a raven. I suspect The Raven is by far and away Poe’s most famous work though I personally am a fan of Annabel Lee, the Masque of the Red Death, and Ligeia. And now I want to reread Poe. I am actually rather fond of crows and ravens. I know a lot of people find them repugnant or creepy but I love the glossy sheen of their black feathers, their sturdy shape, and their intellect. This was just a super-quick drawing – ten minutes from beginning to end – so I don’t think I have done the raven justice but I like this as a starting point. Perhaps I will turn it into a lino block print or more developed and detailed ink drawing at some stage.
A Pict in PA 
Ten minutes? Wow. Never would have thought it. It is complete and complex.
Well because it’s a silhouette essentially I was able just to quickly scribble and didn’t have to worry about erasing my “finding” lines or anything. I’ve always been a quick worker but these Inktober sketches are having to be speedy even by my normal standards.
It’s working! I think you’ve been doing great work.
Like anything, daily practice is very beneficial.
Your ink washes are getting better! Great job!! I like your line work! That too has improved! Good use of texture in the feathers! Way to go Laura!!
Thank you, Sue. The Clairefontaine pad does not take washes well so I need to figure out how to make that work through trial and error.
I hear you! I have to do trial and error tests too when I have new-to-me paper until I find out what it can do. You did a great job!
What a sexy beautiful raven! At ten minutes he is one happy, satisfied raven. Love your idea of putting him in a lino block for your future stamping needs. I am totally enjoying your inktober projects, Laura.
Thanks, Carrie.
Fantastic drawing! You captured its movement and brought it to life.
Thanks, Ellie!
Love this! I also think he would make a great lino print. And I have a collection of Poe short stories that is now calling my name from the bookshelf… 😀
Thank you. My husband reminded me I already carved a block print of a raven and when I got it out of storage the composition was not dissimilar. By being forgetful, it seems I unconsciously influenced myself.
Ha! But now you have a ready-made print block to use, so that’s a win! 😀
Wow! This is great! You must do the lino print! It would look awesome!
Thanks. It turns out I had previously carved a very similar block print years ago and then totally forgotten. But I might try this composition out some time.
would look great in lino that would give it a jaggy rough feathered feel =)
Thanks. I’ve not had a big enough chunk of art times in ages in which I could create a block print. Maybe over winter break I will find time.
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