This was my 3rd northern cardinal attempt and each time I seem to do one thing a bit better. Need to keep practicing!

First time posting. I love this course. I have carved and painted birds and bird watched for long time, but could never transfer painting birds to flat art. This course is giving me just what I hoped for.

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So I tried once more and tried to be patient and draw the feathers.

I think my problem is that I am impatient when it comes to drawing feathers.  I think I tend to rush to "finish the drawing".  I'll keep working on this however.  Seeing what others have done has given my a better idea of what I need to work on.

Wow! I found myself getting dizzy as I was drawing and redrawing the primaries :)

I love cardinals - can't wait to paint him :)

My Northern Cardinal with individual feathers. 

I’m really intrigued by this process! I’ve drawn/sketched for many years and have never thought about using  basic shapes and the pencil measuring technique before! I feel like this process, breaking things down from macro to micro, all the steps we took, will be a game changer for my art. I can see this being immensely helpful for proportions and composition.

Final drawing - with alteration to back feathers (thanks, Jenny).  The hardest part was getting the shape of the leading edge of the primaries (the emargination line) in the right place.  I think it's also important to remember that this is not a drawing in its own right, but a guide for the painting which is to come.  Hence it looks a little stark - and there is still a chance to make alterations in the painting phase.