Duck Stamp

This project was my duck stamp submission for this year. I did a oil pastel drawing of a Ruddy Duck. I did the drawing on bristol paper with oil pastels. I layered multiple colors of oil pastels and smudged them together. I used color to create a somewhat accurate representation of the duck with the correct colors. I also used value to make the duck look more realistic and three dimensional.

I didn’t use any compositional technique when creating my artwork. I centered the duck on the page and surrounded it with some water. I also tried to make the duck looking at almost a ¾ tilt with its head so it wasn’t fully profile or straight on. This project didn’t change much. I never altered my design or composition. I started at the bill and head and then moved back down the body to the tail when I was drawing. After I had drawn the duck I filled in the background.

This project was for a submission to the National Duck Stamp contest. This is one of my favorite contests to submit to because I enjoy drawing the ducks. This contest raises money through the sale of the winning stamp design. The money raised then goes to protect waterfowl and waterfowl habitats. This project relates to my life because conservation is something that I am passionate about. To improve my artwork I would try and improve the bill of my duck. I would also try and add texture or more defined feather shapes.