Sunday, March 13, 2011

Sunday Sketches: Another "Warning"


This page from my sketchbook was my original idea for Illustration Friday's "Warning".  Coal miners used to use canaries as an early warning system (because the canaries would be killed by any toxic gases in the mine before harming the miners). 

It turns out that a pink elephant is more my style, so this idea never made it past this quick sketch... Sometimes that happens.

While I was sketching I couldn't get the song "Canary in a Coalmine" by the Police out of my head, so I decided to add the lyrics to the page.  I've posted the video for this song below in case you haven't heard it before.  But...

Warning:
This song may get stuck in your head!




Please be sure to stop by Sophia's blog to see what my friends have going on in their heads!
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31 comments:

  1. HeatherMarch 13, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    Hi Kristin,
    A beautiful canary, indeed. the color is just jumping off the page. And the details of the feathers on the wings.....just so well done.
    I do know that song, and love it! When I first started dating my husband he introduced me to this....and it's one of my all time favorites....as is Sting...hee!
    Have a great Sunday, xo

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  2. Jehanne's doodlesMarch 13, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    oh this is beautiful. I love the colour and how your text layout.

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  3. NellyMarch 13, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    I love the canary. You always come up with the most clever ideas for your Illustration Fridays!

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  4. jywheelerMarch 13, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Beautiful canary!

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  5. linda (dots n doodles)March 13, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    Such a beautiful canary!

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  6. WrightStuffMarch 13, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    Poor little canaries got a raw deal! This one is very bonny though.

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  7. ChristineMarch 13, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    I always look forward to your Sunday Sketch. I like how you were inspired for the background. Lovely yellow canary.

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  8. DeannaMarch 13, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    Kristin this canary is quite lovely! I love sketching birds for some reason. Maybe because they're so elusive in real.

    I absolutely hated Photoshop and Illustrator when I first started working in them but eventually I got the hang of them and have quite a bit of fun playing around in them.

    Thank you for the kind words on my blog. It's been rough but I'm taking it day by day and art definitely helps me.

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  9. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Kristin!!!! this is so beautiful!!!! what a gorgeous piece....the yellow canary makes me think of Spring!!!

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  10. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    Great work Kristin... your canary is brilliant... well there are no more mines anymore, so the canary and pitt ponies are safe...

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  11. MarleneMarch 13, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Lovely canary the yellow just pops off the page. I have not heard that song but will go have a listen. Happy Sunday.

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  12. Virtual BoyMarch 13, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Awesome work on the shading here, and love that strong yellow color!

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  13. Tammie LeeMarch 13, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    wonderful canary! I love the color and wonderful shading.

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  14. DebbieMarch 13, 2011 at 1:15 PM

    I love your yellow canary, he's so bright and so helpful to the miners too! Have a wonderful Sunday! xoxo

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  15. kjMarch 13, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    kristin, this is the third time in a week i've seen drawings on words. wordart. i love it.

    love
    kj

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  16. lissaMarch 13, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    I like the bright yellow, it wakes me up

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  17. Kat WMarch 13, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    Beautiful sketch. Poor canaries in the coal mines :-( I love Sting's voice - so luscious!

    Kat :-)

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  18. LenoraMarch 13, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    I really like the canary. Yellow is such a sunny comfort colour, this one is wakeful as a bird.

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  19. EVAMarch 13, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    So beautiful!! And great and appropriate lyrics to accompany it!

    So excited for PPF!

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  20. ShaylaMarch 13, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Your artwork is so inspiring, I wish I knew how to color as well as you do. It is....just perfect.

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  21. Betsy BrockMarch 13, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    Oh, I love the canary! Gorgeous!

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  22. Morph WaffleMarch 13, 2011 at 3:47 PM

    Such a wonderful canary!

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  23. Julia ChristieMarch 13, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    Great job on this canary - love the wings and the color is yummy ( I love Yellow!)
    I will have to listen to this song as the lyrics have captured my imagination...off to view the video link!

    Smiles and hope you are having a great Sunday!
    XO

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  24. Heather FoustMarch 13, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Beautiful Canary!! Oh an by the way that song. Canary in a Coalmine.... Canary in a Coalmine(I am singing can you tell) It's stuck!!!

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  25. KateHollomanMarch 13, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    I can't listen to the song right now, but will come back :)
    and I LOVE your canary!!!!!!!!!

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  26. Alexandra MacVeanMarch 13, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    I had no idea about the yellow canary, Kristin. Thanks for sharing that bit of information. Your canary is amazing. I am just not good with sketching real animals. Great job. :)

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  27. HannahMarch 14, 2011 at 3:44 AM

    I love this. The bright yellow is just brilliant :)

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  28. Jenn BowerMarch 14, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    I love the pop of yellow off the page and the textural quality of the lyrics behind the canary. It has a nice elemental collage feel and a great solution to the 'warning' theme. I know how you feeling about those going no where sketches, but isn't it funny how they tend to find a reincarnation later on down the road.

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  29. NicolaMarch 14, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Hi Kristin,

    Well being originally from Wales I know all about canaries in coal mines :0) What a lovely drawing. It really does pop right off the page, I love how you shade your drawings it makes them feel really solid and really there, if you know what I mean! Great piece! :0)

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  30. ReflectionsMarch 14, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    Simply beautiful! Love the idea of adding the lyrics to the piece.

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  31. HelenMarch 16, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    A lovely canary and I adore the writing on the sketch. Perfect.

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