Ensharpened Apodiformes (commission)

Many months ago I was commissioned (again) to make a series of Discord server icons. This is the same client who previously commissioned such gems as Enraptured Athoracophoridae and Erudite Australopithecus, so I knew I was going to be in for something interesting. Just like last time, I was given a list of phrases whose words started with E and A, then asked to illustrate them. I was given minimal direction other than the occasional explanation when I asked what some of the words meant.

The Apodiformes is an order of birds that includes hummingbirds. Knowing this, I hope a hummingbird slicing some bamboo with its beak is more or less self-explanatory.

Out of the whole commission set, I think this one is my favorite, next to Aesop’s Elapure. The red sky, the swoosh of the ensharpened beak, the bird’s pose. It’s all so wonderful, I say, patting myself on the back.