(Die Gestalt, 3/2006, p. 52)

Pigeon Market

 9th Grade Colored Pen and Ink Drawings

 Helmut Hemmer

 The largest pigeon market in the world takes place yearly at Wasserburg am Inn. Pigeon breeders from all around the world, not only from Germany, come on the evening before the market is held and remain overnight until noon the next day to present their birds. The “Taubenlackln,” as the breeders are called in the German language dialect of the region, inflate the crops of their pigeons so that they will appear more attractive to the buyers. Many of my students come from rural areas and are familiar with raising small animals. They are, therefore, familiar with the subject matter.

The students became familiar with pen and ink drawing during their earlier school years. Before beginning their drawings, the students report about their visit to the market, their impressions and experiences, such as who they observed and where the individual dealers stood or to where they moved. The market was previously held in the inner courtyard of an old brewery, today it has been transferred to the streets of the old part of town.

 After making the drawings in waterproof ink, the students color their pictures with translucent water colors. Because the pigeon market is a topic from their life experience, the students worked with much delight.