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Submitted: December 12, 2011
Image Size: 4.3 MB
Resolution: 4358×5904

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Views: 493 (4 today)

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Make:Canon
Model:LiDE 30
Software:Adobe Photoshop CS5.1 Windows

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Golden Silk Orbweaverby *xfkirsten

Traditional Art / Drawings / Animals

Golden Silk Orbweaver, aka "banana spider" (female)
Nephila clavipes

One of the largest non-tarantula spiders in North America, female golden silk orbweavers can reach as much as 4cm in body length. I used to see them a lot during summer hikes in Florida, and that's what inspired me to do this piece! I'm not really big into insects or arachnids, but these guys are just fascinating. Despite their size, they're harmless - non-venomous, not at all aggressive, and when they are forced to bite, cause very little pain. And they're amazing to see in person! Very common in the southeast US in the late summer and early fall, often along trails and clearings.

I based this off photos I took at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, FL a few years back. This was part of my final project for Principles of Natural Science Illustration at the University of Washington. I also created a field guide-style one-page poster using this illustration. I'd love to get good reference photos of a male to make a companion piece - they're only about 1/4 the size of the females!

Colored Pencil on Smooth Bristol
9"x12"
~6 hours (+2 hrs for reference and research)

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*alllysa Feb 6, 2013 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

I love this. The detail is wonderful. I will be conducting research on them this coming spring

*xfkirsten Feb 6, 2013 Professional Traditional Artist

Thank you! I always loved seeing them when I lived in Florida - their colors are just fantastic!

~atheoryofmind Dec 15, 2011 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Ooh, I don't even like spiders, but this is very well done nonetheless!

*xfkirsten Dec 16, 2011 Professional Traditional Artist

Thank you very much! The first time I saw these guys, they really freaked me out, but I was so fascinated, I got over it!

!NBadges Dec 13, 2011

Eekcellent work ! !

*xfkirsten Dec 16, 2011 Professional Traditional Artist

Thank you!

*FauxHead Dec 13, 2011 Hobbyist Photographer

This is so awesome, Kirsten.

I'm tellin' ya, you should be illustrating field guides. Although, come to think of it, that might get monotonous after awhile.

*xfkirsten Dec 16, 2011 Professional Traditional Artist

Acutally, I would LOVE to do field guides! That's a style that I tend to gravitate towards anyways. I think my own habit of hiking and birdwatching makes me put heavy emphasis on identifying colors and marks.

Now, FINDING the field guide illustration jobs is the tough part, that's what I'm working on now!

*FauxHead Dec 16, 2011 Hobbyist Photographer

you are even better than "good enough" for the job

best of luck!

*xfkirsten Dec 17, 2011 Professional Traditional Artist

Thank you very much!

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