Comments on: The Fisher and the Goshawk http://drawingthemotmot.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/the-fisher-and-the-goshawk/ Art, nature, and exploring ways to combine the two. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:40:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: zeladoniac http://drawingthemotmot.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/the-fisher-and-the-goshawk/#comment-3676 zeladoniac Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:09:02 +0000 http://drawingthemotmot.wordpress.com/?p=844#comment-3676 Wow, Neil, that's pretty scary and outstanding, all at once. It's nice to know goshawks are nesting in CT and it's one of those things you don't want to mess around with. The one I found is nesting here, too. I went back with a friend and we scoped the bird on the nest, whereupon she launched herself at us and we were forced to run out of there. She let us live to hike another day. Glad you're unhurt! Gretchen, thanks for the Bob Slate Clairfontaine tip- I'll go over there next time we're in Cambridge. I went to Utrecht and picked up a Canson All-Media book, which I like pretty well and the paper takes washes nicely. If you close the book while the paper dries and use a rubber band around the covers it keeps things from buckling too much.I'm also trying out Somerset textured 250gm, which is a little softer than Arches and not so sized, and with more texture than HP. It's a lovely paper and comes in buff and white. Wow, Neil, that’s pretty scary and outstanding, all at once. It’s nice to know goshawks are nesting in CT and it’s one of those things you don’t want to mess around with. The one I found is nesting here, too. I went back with a friend and we scoped the bird on the nest, whereupon she launched herself at us and we were forced to run out of there. She let us live to hike another day. Glad you’re unhurt!

Gretchen, thanks for the Bob Slate Clairfontaine tip- I’ll go over there next time we’re in Cambridge. I went to Utrecht and picked up a Canson All-Media book, which I like pretty well and the paper takes washes nicely. If you close the book while the paper dries and use a rubber band around the covers it keeps things from buckling too much.I’m also trying out Somerset textured 250gm, which is a little softer than Arches and not so sized, and with more texture than HP. It’s a lovely paper and comes in buff and white.

]]> By: Neil Visnapuu http://drawingthemotmot.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/the-fisher-and-the-goshawk/#comment-3675 Neil Visnapuu Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:47:17 +0000 http://drawingthemotmot.wordpress.com/?p=844#comment-3675 I was just attacked by two goshawks today, while walking in the woods (Warren, CT)...same path I hike regularly. I had no clue what was happening, just that two large birds where pinning me to the ground, making this ridiculous sound. I actually grabbed a branch, and swung at them while basically high tailing it out of there. I've been in the woods my whole life, but had to google "dopey hiker attacked by birds" to figure out what was happening. I was just attacked by two goshawks today, while walking in the woods (Warren, CT)…same path I hike regularly. I had no clue what was happening, just that two large birds where pinning me to the ground, making this ridiculous sound. I actually grabbed a branch, and swung at them while basically high tailing it out of there. I’ve been in the woods my whole life, but had to google “dopey hiker attacked by birds” to figure out what was happening.

]]> By: gretchen http://drawingthemotmot.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/the-fisher-and-the-goshawk/#comment-3563 gretchen Fri, 09 May 2008 15:45:51 +0000 http://drawingthemotmot.wordpress.com/?p=844#comment-3563 THANK YOU for answering my question re: your sketchbook! Arches HP 140lb. has long been my paper of choice, too; I have used Lana and Fabriano but seem to always return to Arches. For grab and go sketchbooks I've been using a hardbound one from Clairefontaine (6x8.5, landscape format) that isn't too easy to find anymore- I believe you can still get them at Bob Slate's in Cambridge. Nice HP paper but not as smooth as arches,extremely white, takes washes very well w/o buckling and yet still great for details (although building depth in a more finished work takes a little effort) -downside: not cheap ( $26 ea.-ouch!). I did experiment with making my own sketchbooks from Arches 140lbHP by cutting the paper to my desired size, making covers from a heavier cardstock and then having them spiral bound at Staples- they look beautiful but I'm already dealing with the page curling/buckling issue as I cannot now tape the pages to a support while painting- live and learn! So Clairefontaine it is for me right now, but I will definitely check out the Strathmore sketchbook and a few shts. of Somerset! Now if I can just tear myself away from reading through all your archives, ( which I am SO enjoying!) I may actually get back to my painting!! Again,many thanks to you both for your time and answers, gretchen THANK YOU for answering my question re: your sketchbook! Arches HP 140lb. has long been my paper of choice, too; I have used Lana and Fabriano but seem to always return to Arches. For grab and go sketchbooks I’ve been using a hardbound one from Clairefontaine (6×8.5, landscape format) that isn’t too easy to find anymore- I believe you can still get them at Bob Slate’s in Cambridge. Nice HP paper but not as smooth as arches,extremely white, takes washes very well w/o buckling and yet still great for details (although building depth in a more finished work takes a little effort) -downside: not cheap ( $26 ea.-ouch!). I did experiment with making my own sketchbooks from Arches 140lbHP by cutting the paper to my desired size, making covers from a heavier cardstock and then having them spiral bound at Staples- they look beautiful but I’m already dealing with the page curling/buckling issue as I cannot now tape the pages to a support while painting- live and learn! So Clairefontaine it is for me right now, but I will definitely check out the Strathmore sketchbook and a few shts. of Somerset! Now if I can just tear myself away from reading through all your archives, ( which I am SO enjoying!) I may actually get back to my painting!! Again,many thanks to you both for your time and answers, gretchen

]]> By: zeladoniac http://drawingthemotmot.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/the-fisher-and-the-goshawk/#comment-3559 zeladoniac Fri, 09 May 2008 00:26:35 +0000 http://drawingthemotmot.wordpress.com/?p=844#comment-3559 There you have it, from the expert. Thanks, Barry! There you have it, from the expert. Thanks, Barry!

]]> By: Barry Van Dusen http://drawingthemotmot.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/the-fisher-and-the-goshawk/#comment-3556 Barry Van Dusen Thu, 08 May 2008 14:28:10 +0000 http://drawingthemotmot.wordpress.com/?p=844#comment-3556 gretchen asked about the field sketchbook I have been using,(i.e. the sketchbook used for the hepatica sketches). I've been using a STRATHMORE spiral-bound book called 400 series FIELD DRAWING. These 9 x 12 books have 50 pages of a cream toned 80 lb drawing paper. The sheet has a nice feel and I like the slight tone. It takes watercolor pretty well for a drawing paper, but if I had had some with my kit on the day I painted the hepaticas, I would probably have worked on a proper sheet of w/c paper, e.g. Arhces 140 HOTpress. Lana HOTpress is another sheet I use alot for field paintings of botanical subjects. Hope this is helpful! -Barry Van Dusen gretchen asked about the field sketchbook I have been using,(i.e. the sketchbook used for the hepatica sketches). I’ve been using a STRATHMORE spiral-bound book called 400 series FIELD DRAWING. These 9 x 12 books have 50 pages of a cream toned 80 lb drawing paper. The sheet has a nice feel and I like the slight tone. It takes watercolor pretty well for a drawing paper, but if I had had some with my kit on the day I painted the hepaticas, I would probably have worked on a proper sheet of w/c paper, e.g. Arhces 140 HOTpress. Lana HOTpress is another sheet I use alot for field paintings of botanical subjects. Hope this is helpful!
-Barry Van Dusen

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