John James Audubon Just Got Flossy

I recently finished part one of a mini embroidery project.  I’m doing a small series of waterfowl inspired from Audubon’s illustrations.  Luckily I received my best reference as a Christmas present.

First up is the Snowy Egret, or Ciconiiformes Ardeidae Egretta thula as I always say.

I had also recently bought Embroidered Birds by Helen M. Stevens from Daedalus Books.  It truthfully was only a little helpful as far as techniques, but was still interesting to look at.

I started using a linen cotton needlepoint fabric.  I had a difficult transferring my design at first, but I think I’ve got it now.

I started with the darkest shadows first and worked color range dark to light in order.

It turned out pretty good I think.  Not the best lighting, but here it is:

The feet were just as tedious as they were fun.

Also, after knocking my  table top fashioned out of a magazine off of the chair arms enough times, I got fed up and got smarter and made this:

Next up is the Brown Pelican, you know, the Pelecaniformes Pelecanidae Pelecanus occidentalis.