Who

Happy New Year Ya'll.  I decided that the best way to start the new year is with a new mosaic design. This one is call "Who".  And I apologize to any Dr.Who fans to Googled "Who" and showed up here under false pretenses.  The website you were probably looking for is here, http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006q2x0.

As always, I started with a sketch.

Who Sketch

Then I added a little color with colored pencils.

Who Sketch with Color

Next I transferred the drawing to my already prepared frame and I began selecting tile colors.  I would like to say that there is a science to this process, but I usually just throw a bunch of colors on the frame to get something that works together.

For this piece, I decide to use the following colors:

Eyes - Night Black (C39) and Saffron (D43)
Outer Eyes - Fossil (A14)
Owl Body - Oak (A13)
Feet - Fossil (A14)
Moon - China White (A20)
Tree - Night Black (C39)
Sky - Pansy (PAN1)

Selecting Tile Colors

Next I began cutting and gluing.  I usually try to start with the hardest part first.  In the case of this piece, the owls eyes were definitely the hardest.

Gluing the Eyes

Next, I try to finish the remainder of my main subject matter.

Gluing the Owl

Then it is just a matter of finishing the background.

Gluing the background

And if one owl is good, then two owls must be better.

Who, Who

After all of the cutting and gluing is completed, it is then time to apply the grout.  For this piece, I am using a gray grout.

Grouting the Who

And at last, the piece is finished.  Please allow me to present "Who".

Who

Fun Owl Facts (Source: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/owl.html)

• There are around 200 different owl species.
• Owls are active at night (nocturnal).
• A group of owls is called a parliament.
• Most owls hunt insects, small mammals and other birds.
• Some owl species hunt fish.
• Owls have powerful talons (claws) which help them catch and kill prey.
• Owls have large eyes and a flat face.
• Owls can turn their heads as much as 270 degrees.
• Owls are farsighted, meaning they can’t see things close to their eyes clearly.
• Owls are very quiet in flight compared to other birds of prey.
• The color of owl’s feathers helps them blend into their environment (camouflage).
• Barn owls can be recognized by their heart shaped face.