Raven Drawing

I've been noticing crows and ravens around me. Following the advice of a friend, I talk to them when I walk in the park, sometimes a simple greeting, other times more about my inner questioning. I know they are supposed to be messengers from the spirit world. I feel all living things are part of a shared consciousness, in spheres of self, family, tribe, biosphere. So one crow or raven knows what the others know, and, more distantly, what other living things know. A while ago, I made a lino cut of a Sussex Brown Hare. So, the other day, a raven told me to make a series of lino cuts of Sussex animals, and suggested I show ravens, seagulls and foxes next. So I've been taking photographs (surprisingly difficult, and looking at found images. This drawing is a study of a raven, looking intently at me, knowing me, knowing much more, and willing me to listen... this raven is upright, serious, knowing... I started out with a sharp HB and then added softer 4B and 6B, to get the dense black. The eyes have hard lines, reflections, other worlds. I worked over and used soft lines and circles to get the feel of the silky feathers.