About the species:
Gallus gallus, commonly known as the red-junglefowl, belongs to the galliformes (gamebirds) order. Assumed as the ancestor of domestic chicken due to genetic similarity, it originally lives mainly in the rainforests of the islands Sumatra and Java, Indonesia. Feeds on seeds and small insects, it is also a prey of carnivores such as the endangered sumatran tiger in the nature. The male individual has brighter plumage including longer glossy-caudal-feather, and –just like most of galliformes members– spurs behind the feets. In indonesian culture, the gorgeous “bird” –simply called as chicken by locals– is one of the mostly consumed avian species in Indonesia because of it’s relatively high population in jungles and easiness to raise in poultries, besides of the better taste compared to domesticated chickens. The male of the species was frequently used for –now stated as illegal– the chicken fight because of the temper and unique fighting style. It is also kept as pet by numerous people in the westside of the country because of the attractive look that slightly differs for every specimen found. For decades, it has became one of the popular animal drawing object in Indonesia thanks to the interesting physical features the species carries on.

About the piece:
“And It’s On” is another digital painting made in Adobe Photoshop 7 in the “Indonesian Species” series made by me as the following piece after the “Sumatran Tiger”. The picture consists of two fighting male red-junglefowls, which are very commonly found in the western islands of Indonesia. As fighting scene shows the agressiveness of the males, the striking plumage plus the glossy tail give an example how beautiful the species might be. Different color pick between both rooster represents the variations of the species’ appearance. This piece is meant to describe the special characteristics of male red junglefowls. The title –which comes out from my mind when the drawing is nearly done– represents the start of the battle, my seriousness of exposing more about what this magnificent country has, and also my start to learn more deeply about both design and fine art worlds. And hopefully, digital animal art will start to rise as well...

Personal comment:
I spent a lot of my time for this one. The sketch was made around August 15th (before the I scanned it after the independence day ceremony, which was August 17th) – couldn’t remember the exact date. I needed 1 to 3 hours for each body part (head area, head-neck feather, body, 3 parts of wings, tail), and I found out that this is the very first time I could make the feathers look (kinda) realistic. Have to admit it, this one is currently the best of all my pieces made in photoshop. Wish I could try some more tricks, unfortunately don’t hav e time for that, thanks a lot for my assignments *duh....
Why “chicken”? The first reason was that I love to draw “birds”. They are definitely easier than mammals, which we see everyday, making it’s very easy to spot every single anatomical mistake I make lol. And I was still curious after I failed making realistic looking feathers on my last attempt, the pic of paradisaea decora. Then, I pick the species because it really really represents Indonesia since it lives mostly in – naturally – the west islands of Indonesia and it’s surroundings (according to the books that I read). Just like usual, I still love to turn everyday ordinary stuffs into something extraordinary. The second reason was because my grandfather who passed away years ago used to draw roosters as well. He was one of the most generous person I’ve ever met in my life. Unfortunately all he did was scraps, so none of them is kept until now. Well, guess I prov ed it, chickens aren’t just plain chickens ^^
( Couldn’t believe I’d ever be able to write something like this. Gosh, seems like I write better at weird times lol...)
-Written at 3AM, Thursday 18 October 2007
-The piece was done at 3AM, Saturday 20 October 2007

N.B.: Khusus buat “kowe-ngerti-sopo” (deknen-sing-jenenge-ora-entuk-disebut) - Dilarang keras berpikir tentang makanan saat anda melihat halaman ini, atau anda akan mengalami simptom santet luwing membelah tai merasuk tinja. (Ojo dipangan leee... uangel nggawene cahhh!!!)