When I do not have my own photo to draw from I have to invest some time into researching physical and behavioral traits of the subject I want to draw. This research and study phase usually turns out to be very enriching, causing me to try different ideas, and trust in my abilities.
That was the case for this particular drawing. Ravens are actually very amazing creatures. Most legends depict ravens as messengers of something negative, like bad weather, death, evil, loss, and despair. In contrast to those legends, the articles that I read painted them to be intelligent, adaptable, problem solvers, playful, and great acrobatic fliers.
In behavior and physical appearance the raven is not like his smaller relative the crow.
I like what Balin says to Bilbo Baggins about ravens in this excerpt from The Hobbit.
“I only wish he was a raven!” said Balin.
“I thought you did not like them! You seemed very shy of them, when we came this way before.”
“Those were crows! And nasty suspicious-looking creatures at that, and rude as well. You must have heard the ugly names they were calling after us. But the ravens are different. There used to be great friendship between them and the people of Thror, and they often brought us secret news, and were rewarded with such bright things as they coveted to hide in their dwellings.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
The Art Piece
19 x 24 Charcoal on Bristol
Photographed