As is so often my habit, this drawing was started well over a year ago, then put aside when I got to a point where I lost faith in its direction. Pulling it out of the drawer a month or so ago, suddenly I could see how I wanted to continue with it – reducing the intensity of some areas, adding more contrast in others and developing the lower flowers using a more delicate, paler palette.
It is large, 94 x 64 cm, so quite unwieldy to manage. I can’t develop the whole piece in one go, it has to be incremental, which probably also added to my discomfort with it. I hold it still on my drawing table (which is on a 45º slope) with magnets, which are attached to a steel rule across the top edge of the drawing board, then I can move it up and down without marking the surface.
The title, Hawkflower, came from a comment a friend made when I showed part of the drawing on Instagram – she mentioned the number of hawks she could see in it. I had been aware there were bird forms appearing, but till then hadn’t realised how many and how obvious they were!
anna warren portfolio 
With its beaks, talons and sharp edges, this is a plant one wouldn’t want to stumble into on a dark night. It gives me an idea for an Anna Warren series, “Post-Apocalyptic Plants”. I imagine the sheer size of this artwork adds to its powerful energy.
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I love the idea of a series of ‘Post-Apocalyptic Plants’! I already have quite a few that fit the bill …
When I was doing the drawing I didn’t really see the beaks and talons, or at least in the quantity it ended up with. Must have been something to do with the state of my mind at the time!
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I love this! Please tell me what medium you used!
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I love this! Please tell me what medium you used! Thank you!
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The under-drawing was made using Liquid Pencil, then it was developed with coloured pencils. I use Caran d’Ache Luminance, for their richness and permanence. The support for the drawing is yupo, a synthetic paper that is very smooth. Thank you for your comment!
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Yes I know you already have begun this series (without realising it) and already have a few completed. Yay, so glad you like the concept.
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Being able to give works a collective name can concentrate one’s thinking, sharpen the focus. Thank you for the inspiration!
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My pleasure !
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