Duck Stamp

Title: The Steller's Eider

Size: 12'' x 9''

Statement:

This piece shows a male and a female Steller's Eider duck in their breeding grounds. The female is pictured nestled down in the grass. The male is pictured standing up, showing off his colorful feathers. I wanted to show the contrast between the males and females of this species. I chose to put them in their breeding grounds, because I think the colors of the drying marsh grass looks beautiful next to the blue ocean and red/brown colors on the males chest.

For this piece I used India Ink and Fine Art Watercolor. I started by laying out where the ducks would be placed and then doing the background. I then put color to the ducks and then filled in much more detail in the grass. I originally was not going to show water in the background, but I realized I need something else to give more perspective, so I added the ocean. If I were to add more to this piece, I would show more depth and contrast in the grass.