Red-Tailed Hawk ~ "Shadows of the Sky" ~ Pastel

This red-tailed hawk pastel painting captures the most common yet most underappreciated raptor in North America. Red-tailed hawks are everywhere — perched on highway signs, circling above farm fields, screaming that iconic cry that Hollywood uses for every eagle in every movie. But familiarity has made people overlook how extraordinary they are. A three-pound bird that can spot a mouse from a thousand feet up and hit it at sixty miles per hour deserves a closer look.

I worked in pastel, building the hawk's rich brown plumage, pale streaked breast, and that distinctive rufous tail through layered dry strokes. The warm reds of the tail feathers are the painting's emotional center — a flash of unexpected color on a bird most people see only as a dark shape against the sky. Pastel's tactile quality gives the feathers a physical presence that invites close viewing.

Part of my Shadows of the Sky collection, which explores raptors and owls in pastel. The red-tailed hawk is the collection's most relatable subject — the raptor you've seen a hundred times but never really looked at. Red-tailed hawks are the most adaptable raptors in North America, equally at home in deserts, forests, prairies, and cities. Their famous cry — actually borrowed by Hollywood for every eagle, falcon, and hawk in film — belongs to this unassuming bird that most people drive past without noticing. The rufous tail is the painting's warm center, emerging from the surrounding browns.

One of a kind. Ideal for living rooms, dens, and spaces where the familiar reveals hidden beauty. Framing options available. Free shipping, complimentary insurance, and certificate of authenticity included.

Materials:  Each watercolor original is unique, the only one of its kind. Created on 300lb Arches Watercolor Paper with Japanese Sumi-é watercolor paint designed to last a lifetime.

Framing: Each piece is elegantly presented with light grey matting in a handmade wooden frame with a grey-washed finish. UV plexiglass and archival materials ensure long-lasting preservation. Crafted with care, our frames are 1.5" deep and handcrafted from solid wood by our trusted local framer.

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Cost: Shipping is FREE for all original works up to approx. 30x40". For large artwork, we cover the first $500 in shipping costs; please email us your zip code for a quote.

Packaging: All originals are shipped flat (not rolled). For work larger than 30x40", though our boxes are plastic-reinforced, you have a choice of wood crating to ensure safe transport for an additional fee.

Schedule: Unframed work ships within 1-2 weeks, while framed pieces require 2-3 weeks for delivery. Crated and oversized works may take 4-6 weeks. If your order is time-sensitive, please leave us a note during checkout and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

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