Not finished yet, but progressing.

I think drawing negative shapes is by far the most helpful skill for this exercise in my opinion. What was more difficult for me was measuring proportions.  

This course has just been so wonderful. I have never drawn a thing in my life but decided to take this course as a nature lover, and as covid pastime. It has opened up a whole new world to me on so many levels. Here is my fox:

I was wondering, are you drawing these images the same size as you see them? Or scaling up or down? is your image right next to your paper or in front of you? How might these ideas change the difficulty level of these drawings? I have trouble drawing something a very different size from its actual size.

Getting the shapes and proportions right are the hardest aspects of sketching for me. I find I am using negative space more and it is helpful, and I like adding texture and value. My initial gesture drawing of the fox was very rough but had a certain dynamism which I am not sure is there in the more polished sketch.

Sketches  and refining a sketch. Proportions are very difficult

The most helpful technique for me was using short sketchy lines

I find the right proportions difficult to achieve. The different ways for shading were most helpful.

I found that by adding depth to a drawing I observed the highlights & lowlights and overall more detail on my drawing . Still refining the shading technique.

This was fun.   Slowly getting better at drawing what I see.   I’m still finding that drawing in the field is very challenging, photos are easier.. they don’t decide to leave just as you get started 🙂.   Jen

Looking through my journal, I decided to refine the 30 seconds gesture sketch of the Road Runner (June 15, 2020): I wanted to compare how I looked at & sketched an image/subject in 30 seconds then how I looked at it and sketched it with an unlimited time (took me around an hour and a half to finish it). I think when I did the quick sketch the “feeling” of its speed was visible n the sketch’s crown, however, In reality it isn’t visible as much. I’m wondering now, how much do we add from our own memory and interpretation of a behaviour while sketching? If there was no photograph would I be able to sketch at such accuracy? The most important and helpful technique was the measuring proportion and the lighting and shades. I used fine liner pens (0.05 & 0.1) for this sketch, which were 7  colours: Grey, Black, Dark Grey, Sepia, Bright Sepia, Red, Blue + a yellow coloured pencil for the eye. I tried to be aware of other techniques while sketching but I couldn’t. I was thinking of looking at the overall subject without its details, but I’m not sure if i did it consciously or i missed - cause the moment I start sketching I  went deep into and I lost track of techniques used! This is the final image:

I enjoyed the process of going back to refine the sketch from the gesture drawing session. Make me realize how hard it is to get things down on paper accurately in such a short period of time. One of the aspects that really drew me to the course was learning the skills to draw birds in the wild. Now I feel like practicing gesture drawings and then refining them with photos of that species will help make my drawings spontaneous, lifelike and accurate. I must agree with the others that this bird's bill was difficult! Had to refine many times. It's perspective and dimensions are just a little off what your brain wants them to be.

Hi All, This is my drawing. I have found very boring to draw birds. There is too much complexity for me to observe and lack of confidence in drawing that a project like this has demotivated me to learn and to progress this course. I have decided to do it and I will see what you have done so far. 

Open beak was bit challenging. Useing negative space technique was very helping thought.

Learning to measure proportions has definitely been one of the biggest factors in improving my drawings. Observation, and taking longer than a very few minutes to finish, which has always been a huge problem for me.  If I didn't take much time I could always use that as an excuse.    

Okay I have tried another one to see what I could do. I am much happier with my results this time.

I decided to use my gesture drawing of the pouncing fox. I have lots of practice still to make the fur look accurate. I need to work on the Chiaroscuro in my drawing, which has yet to come naturally. I definitely love the measuring tool technique which is beginning to come back naturally. I am seeing more of the areas in my drawings that I need to continue practicing on & still learning to be gentle with my results. Drawing is becoming very enjoyable and fun. Thank you Liz!

I still have a bit of work to do on this wren. The open mouth is giving me a bit of trouble. Working with negative spaces is becoming more naturally. The crown of the head is giving me a bit of trouble. Hahaha...meant to go back and work on the wing....I forgot about it....I know it is not scalloped like that.

I love the refining stage. I think its my favorite part of the process because you can really think about the details. All the previous exercises really made the refining stage more enjoyable for me. I love drawing birds and look forward to more practice.

I've learned that by focusing more on negative space and the relationship between the parts makes my drawings more realistic.

I have been too heavy with my shading, so this was an opportunity to lighten it up and make the important things be visible. Negative space helps get the shape and spacing correct, with measuring to make sure you’re on track. I forgot to step back mid stream... and now see my bird is looking further to the right! bTW, we got 2” snow today.

I think the negative space and seeing the shapes rather than trying to capture the whole form at once has been most helpful. And being willing to erase and start again to get it right!