This pretty boy is coming along. The tail feathers on the rooster used for inspiration are so pretty in shades of blue and teal, with iridized highlights. I was actually excited to tackle the feathers and was absurdly confident. So I decided to use this kind of feather/leaf andamento with relatively thin strips, so I could try for shading and color gradations, mixed with iridescent highlights.
After the first two feathers—the topmost ones, not including the darker interior of them— I was asking myself that old familiar question: What the heck was I thinking? But, no matter, it was just a momentary panic. I recovered quickly and embraced the just keep going mantra.
At this point, I’m happy with it and am sure it will be so worth the effort. I think he’s going to be gorgeous!