Robins (Draw-a-Bird Day)
The sun burns down
And something plucks my garment’s hem.
The robins in their faded brown
Would lure me to the south with them.
–Bliss Carman, “The Vagabonds”
European settlers in America called this bird a robin because it was red-breasted like the robin they knew from home. But the European robin is a much smaller bird, a member of the flycatcher family; the larger American robin belongs to the thrush family. Their songs are also quite different.
Bliss Carman is a Canadian poet who attended Harvard and spent much of his life in New England. He became well-known in the 1890s for the Vagabondia poems, written with Richard Hovey. A distant relative of Emerson, his verse often reflects the natural world.
Robin was the next bird on my childhood bird list. Although known as harbingers of spring in the North, not all robins go south for the winter.
And last, but not least, I drew Roger, the beanie baby robin (Ty called it “Early”). Roger belongs to my younger daughter’s doll Lily. If you spend any time around children (or remember your own childhood), you know that favorite toys have elaborate stories and biographies attached to them. Even though my daughter is grown up, Lily and Roger continue to inhabit our house. Yes, that’s a baseball glove on his wing…
Laura at CreateArtEveryday has passed the Draw-a-Bird Day (the 8th of each month) baton to Nina and me. Link your bird drawings in the comments, and we’ll put together a compilation of birds next week!
68 responses to “Robins (Draw-a-Bird Day)”
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I love birds, and what a perfect post for National Bird Day (well, it was yesterday I think, but still … :)). And I’ve never heard of Bliss Carmen, but I will now be looking him up — thanks for the introduction! Have a great Friday! 🙂
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Thanks, you too. Draw-a-Bird day is the 8th of each month if you ever feel like joining in.
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I didn’t know the 8th is always “bird day.” Maybe next year I’ll give my artistic skills a try (364 days to warm them up, improve I hope!). 🙂
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Or next month perhaps? We’re fine with “in process” too!
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🙂
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OMG! These are FABULOUS! I am especially drawn to the first two! Do you paint first or sketch first? I always wonder – LOL!
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I used to always paint first, but now I do both. In this case I did ink sketches and then decided they needed color, so I painted last. And sometimes it’s the reverse. Everything I do seems to have its own ideas where to go, despite my intentions at the beginning.
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Thanks for Hosting #DrawABirdDay! 🙂 http://lifeinbetween.me/2016/01/08/a-song-sparrow-watercolor-for-draw-a-bird-day/
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Thanks for drawing and linking!
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Great post and beautiful artwork! DABD is in good hands!!!
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Thanks, we’ll keep it going.
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I love this. I didn’t realize that European robins and American robins are different. (And now I’m thinking of Monty Python and swallows 🙂 ). Lovely drawings!
You are right about the elaborate stories of childhood stuffed animal companions–are grown daughters still have theirs, and my husband and I remember their sayings and songs.
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Those stories from our children always bring a smile, right?
I knew the two types of robins were different, but it was interesting to find out why they were both called robins. Always something new to learn!
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Wonderful paintings, beautifully expressive.
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Thanks Michael.
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These are crazy good. I can’t pick a favorite! It may be the first one! Is that watercolor? I recognize that Robin also, as my daughter had it too. Love the baseball glove. Seriously, you rock! Thanks for picking up the birdy banner! You’re very smart to have people link to you. This will save you tons of time in the roundup. How are you artistic and organized, all at once?! Bravo! Just love these!
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Thanks Laura. I did a pen and ink drawing for the first two, then decided they needed color. The pen was not a waterproof one, but I think the way the lines ran into the watercolor was fine. I can never keep straight which pens are waterproof and which not…
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*applause applause*
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Overachiever! These are terrific–every one of them. Well done.
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Thanks Kirk. I haven’t been drawing for awhile, so I got a little carried away. But I like to compare techniques too.
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Wonderful post Kerfe, your bird sketches are captivating and thank you for the interesting narrative.
I posted a bird @ http://www.mondaytuesdaywednesday.wordpress.com
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And wonderful as usual! I love that you are so creative with your layouts.
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Thank you 😍
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When I see the robins I know spring is almost here. Your robins are a little early but beautiful nonetheless.
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Thanks, sometimes I do see some that spend the winter here. Not so far this year though.
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I started drawing an American Robin, too! In fact, I used the same reference pic as the third one down. 😀 I may have to find a different bird to attempt so there’s not too much repetition. I can’t believe you drew that many…and they are all beautiful! The Beanie Baby one made me giggle. 🙂
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A good reference is a good reference! Go ahead! The more the merrier.
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I drew a different bird (actually, birdS)! 🙂 It was a topic that’s been on my mind anyway.
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Forgot to give you my link: https://teresarobeson.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/drawabirdday-january-2016/ Thanks!
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Wow!! Want an amazing gallery of Robins!! So beautiful!! ❤️😃 And yay to Roger!!! Hehe…love him so much!!
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I thought he would appeal to your theme this month! thanks Charlie.
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Hehe! Definitely!! 😃
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I really like these birds!
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Beautiful robins :-). The first is my favorite – the reds and browns are so wonderfully warm and rich. Your painting and the first line of Bliss’s poem reminded me of watching robins, in the autumn or winter, gather at the tops of leafless trees to watch the sun set. I like the way their red breasts glow.
I drew an owl! https://myrsbytes.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/draw-a-bird-day-january/
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And a beautiful owl too…thanks for the link.
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A bird has been drawn. Am I doing this right?
https://artrelatedblog.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/draw-a-bird-day/
Yours are very nice, they look lively.
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Perfect.
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Your robins are ALL wonderful! I especially like your first one! 🙂
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Thanks Jill.
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Love your Robins! I am not sure how to “link” my post in “the comments” but at least I did a post for draw a bird day. 🙂
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I’m putting the link here and will include in the compilation next week…thanks for joining in.
https://susanfeniakart.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/paint-a-bird-day/#comment-1417
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Thank you so much. 🙂
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Your paintings are gorgeous. Love the bit of background and being introduced to Bliss Carman. Thank you for sharing these delightful treats.
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The things I learn about what I draw are part of the fun! Thanks.
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Thanks for hosting! Here’s my slightly unconventional entry this month 😊 http://doodlewash.com/2016/01/08/little-big-bird/
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I knew you would make the most of this opportunity!
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They are all great but I particularly love the loose lines of the first robin.
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Thanks Eileen, that’s my favorite too.
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Lovely lines, color and texture, Kerfe!
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Thanks Cynthia.
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Thanks for hosting DABD! Laura just informed about this 🙂
https://snehalkank.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/day8-kingfisher/
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Here’s a link to my birdie, Kerfe; thanks for hosting! Really helps me out, at this time of year, especially! http://createarteveryday.com/2016/01/08/draw-a-bird-day-in-january/
I just ran into someone new who is still working on her piece and I directed her here if she’d like to be included. Not sure how long you’ll hold the compilation post, but wanted to let you know. Have a terrific weekend!
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Oh, probably later in the week next week, so all stragglers are welcome!
Yes, enjoy the weekend too.
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I love the looseness of your paintings and I can’t wait to see some robins in my yard this spring! Thanks for taking the time to compile the Draw A Bird Day links. Here is mine: https://carolscreativepapers.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/draw-a-bird-day-january-2016/
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Seeing robins right now would be a treat! Thanks for the link.
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These are beautiful robin paintings! love them. My link is https://rachelm.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/bluebird-ornament-days-6-7/
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Thanks Rachel.
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I’m afraid I’m a day late my it was ten to midnight before I found the challenge. I hope you don’t mind me joining late:
https://caroljforrester.wordpress.com/2016/01/09/doodle-a-day-9116/
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No problem, the summary will be toward the end of next week. Thanks for joining in!
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Beautiful birds!
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Thanks!
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🙂
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