Crows are the only bird I feel which really look at us humans. Up-close a crow gives me the sense of being sized up. Let us say I feel seen by crows.
Given that they are predominantly black with some shades of grey, they are perhaps the most unambiguous bird. Think of them as a black and white photograph or film. They look so well defined. They are made such that they concentrate both your eye and mind.
Considering their monotone visual look they are also easy to paint if you happen to be an Impressionist. Almost all other birds require detailing that crows do not. A couple of rapid strokes in black and one is done. At the same time though crows also lend themselves very well to detailed drawing and painting. That is because they are among few birds that create the sense that they are thinking. They come across as more methodical and measured than others even though it may not necessarily be true.
Lately, I have started to painting crow abstractions. The two pieces here are part of a series. With some effort, I can draw a crow but I prefer to abstract them as a collection as in murder of crows. As a blur of birds I think crows are the most interesting to paint because they do not confuse one with too many colors and hues. As birds and beauty go, crows are very basic. They are like a preliminary sketch for the rest of the avian world and yet they are so evocative in a minimalist sort of way.
So here is to the crows.