American White Pelican

About this work

This bird stands tall on a rocky shore, its white feathers sharp and clean against a dark, stormy sky. Its bright yellow beak and feet contrast with the muted blues and greens of the water and land behind it. The pelican’s wings are spread wide, showing every feather in detail. The artist used fine lines to build up the bird’s texture, almost like stitching. This was a common way to make prints look real before photography. Next, check out engraving to see how artists like this made such precise images.