Original Page Illustration for the book "Clever Crow"
This fine art painting by Olivia Lomenech Gill is a stunning compilation of various bird species, showcasing her meticulous observation and artistic versatility through ink, gouache, and watercolor. The arrangement of birds on a warm, textured background creates a pattern-like effect, evoking the sense of a naturalist's catalog or an ornithologist's field guide. Each bird is uniquely depicted with attention to its posture, coloring, and distinct features, blending artistic stylization with scientific accuracy.
The use of ink outlines and subtle washes of watercolor allows for delicate detailing, while the addition of gouache enhances vibrancy and depth, especially in the feathers and unique markings of each bird. The splattered and irregular white textures in the background add a playful, dynamic quality, contrasting with the more precise rendering of the birds.
This work celebrates avian diversity, focusing on crows and related species while introducing others like magpies and jays. The varied postures and expressions of the birds make each feel alive, as if they’ve been paused mid-action. The mix of textures and techniques results in a visual interplay that combines the spontaneity of nature with the discipline of documentation.
Overall, the piece feels like a tribute to the beauty and individuality of each species, highlighting Gill’s ability to merge the scientific and the artistic into a cohesive, visually compelling composition. It’s a piece that invites prolonged observation, rewarding the viewer with intricate details and subtle textures.
Clever Crow by Chris Butterworth, with illustrations by Olivia Lomenech Gill, is an engaging children's book celebrating the intelligence and behaviors of crows. Aimed at readers aged 3 to 7, the book combines Butterworth's informative yet accessible text with Gill's expressive mixed-media illustrations, which showcase crows and their eggs in fine detail. Praised as “a picture book as intelligent as its subject” by The Wall Street Journal, and described by Kirkus Reviews as “an admiring tribute to the habits and smarts of the corvid clan,” the book highlights the birds' tool-using abilities, playfulness, and strategic food-hiding techniques. Its muted artistic palette complements the fascinating natural insights, earning it recognition as a 2024 Junior Library Guild Selection and a favorite among young nature enthusiasts.
"Corvidae Birds" by Olivia Lomenech Gill - Fine Art Painting
Original Page Illustration
By Olivia Lomenech Gill for the book Clever Crow.- Medium: Collage, ink & gouache on card.
- Dimensions (Unframed):
- Metric: 51 cm x 74 cm
- Imperial: 20.07 in x 29.13 in
- Framing: The frame can be purchased on demand for an additional price of 300€.
