I found it scary to start in the sketchbook with something I don’t feel comfortable drawing.  I found the coloring markings to be challenging.  My bird seems a little too fat, compared to the photo.  I noticed the beak starting further back on the head, and the angles of the feet.

Q1. I was somewhat excited to draw this because I am eager to get started with my journal.  The outside lines of the bird were easier than any of the features of the bird within those lines.  For example, the darker feathers, the red lines of the breast of the bird and the slight changes in types of feathers were very difficult.  I didn't even try to draw most of that detail but if I knew the right techniques I would have included them. Q2. I noted the fungus growing on the tree branches and the small holes in some of the leaves when I was drawing this that I would not have noticed if I just took a photo of it.  This is absolutely one of the benefits of nature journaling, that is to notice many more details than I would if taking photos.

1. I appreciate that we started with a photo and not a video.   It was hard to stop erasing and changing what I had.  I would focus on one area and come back to that same area later and notice something different. 2.  I was able to notice the different yellow hues in much more detail than I do when I look at bird pictures.  It will make a difference when I begin to color in my nature journal pictures.

I enjoyed drawing from the photo, I had the time to study the image. I noticed the tiny feather textures near the back foot and the top of the wing. I also noticed the shading on the beak.

the most challenging thing by far is the perspective, it is easy for me to just jump right in and start drawing the parts of the photo I'm most drawn to, the "prettiest" or funnest part of the photo to draw, but then when I finish that part and have to draw the rest of the photo I realize my proportions and perspective is off, for example the bird is not exactly framed in the correct way and its relation to the branches is a bit off, because the branches were a kind of afterthought. this could make a huge difference in nature drawing if I focus on one part of the scene first and ignore other parts, the drawing will be "off" in terms of perspective and true to life depiction of the scene.

The most challenging things for me where to work on small details (like the eye) with this water brush (first time using it) and to avoid perfectionism as I am working from a photo, that's why I put myself a limit of time. On the other hand, photos allow a better appreciation of details.

I had a really hard time with the wing bars but other than that, it was a fun learning experiance.

Having a photo let me take some time to explore the details of the bird’s feathers and form. I hope that I will be able to get better at quicker studies from life as I tend to get overly involved in details.  The stripes of yellow and black of the feathers are amazing.  I’m not sure I would have been able to appreciate or even see that without a photo.

Drawing the warbler definitely made me notice details I wouldn't have if I'd just been looking at the photo, such as the subtle shapes of the wings and body, and the fact that the stripes on the wings are a different color from the stripes on the body.

I liked drawing from the photo. It gave me the opportunity to notice details I probably wouldn't have, such as the rufus stripes on the chest and the gray tones on the body. The bird wasn't going to fly away either. And when I was drawing, it gave me time to see other details such as the lichen on the branch.

I decided to keep my first Nature Journal entry just in pencil as I am not experienced in drawing or colouring.  I had a lot of fun drawing from a photo as I could focus on as many or as little details as I wanted without the added pressure of the subject flying off.  I am usually behind a camera photographing birds so it was a super experience to take my interest in birds and nature in a new direction.  I did give myself a timeframe to complete this piece though as I do have a tendency to perfectionism and that´s not what journaling is about.  I´m hoping to add some colour to my next page and look forward to trying out lots of new to me techniques.

It was very difficult to do this, but at least I dared.

Keen observation is required to do sketchings. It will help in identifying the species more easily in the field. Sketching from the photo is easier than from the field observation. Sketching from the photos are more clear and specific.

1. I enjoyed drawing from the photo. Capturing the angle of the head and look of the eye was challenging; the body was easier. 2. Yes, I noticed the subtle colors when drawing, the olive green wings and brown stripes on the breast of the bird. Since there are many types of warblers, this attention would help differentiate them. It was fun to do some quick research on their migration patterns and habitats, diet, nesting behavior. I can't wait to see them in the Midwest this spring when I visit.

1. I enjoyed drawing from the photo because the subject wasn't moving and was in full HD. It also allowed me to focus on details of the bird and environment that I likely wouldn't have noticed if I was drawing in the field. It was challenging to decide what to include and omit for detail and clarity of the sketch. 2. I probably wouldn't have noticed some of the color difference in the feathers if I was in the field like the darker orange on the chest or the environmental details of where the bird was perched because it is little and moves pretty quickly. The photo  allowed me to draw the framework of the composition then move to the bird and make a few small corrections as the drawing developed.

I am working on a daily art practice this year. Just completed a 30 day -10 min day-drawing challenge. Want to work on doing more daily life journaling. First sketched and then used watercolors and watercolor pencils. Really enjoyed Liz on introductory email, awhile back, and excited to take this course from her.

1. I enjoyed drawing from the photo - I was able to sketch out the bird, branches and leaves with a pencil first. I feel like the bird was more or less okay, but the body proportions weren't quite right. I really struggled with the beak, of all things. The leaves and branches look pretty good, in my opinion. I tried coloring it with watercolors, which is new to me. I realize that the colors will bleed if I add too much at once. I struggled with getting the background "wash" the way I wanted it. 2. I probably wouldn't have noticed the lichen on the branch. Or the way some of the wing and tail feathers are outlined in black. 3. Yes, looking at the photo allowed me to see detail I might otherwise have missed.

1. At first, i was very nervous about "messing" up. Once i realized how easy it was to erase an error and just keep trying 'til i felt like i had the correct angles it became much more fun and exciting. I also quickly realized not to draw the branch and then draw the warbler on top, but to draw the warbler and add the branch later. 2. I wouldn't have noticed the tiny bits of yellow between the primaries if I had not been sketching this.  Or the details of where the primaries are in relation to the rump.

Drawing from a photo, was equal parts comforting and distressing.  I enjoyed it because I could refer to the photo and use it as a guide. However, it is a near-perfect representation of the bird so it was difficult to compare my drawing to it. I found myself needing to control my self-talk and remind myself that my drawing was not supposed to look like a photograph.   Some of the things that were challenging for me were getting the proportions correct and the positioning or shape of the beak and eyes.   Something that I might have missed had I not been asked to draw the photograph is the way the bird's claws curved around the branch. More specifically how the claws on the right foot did not fully grasp the branch.   Personally, I find sketching in the field more of a challenge because of how quickly birds move, I generally will start with a general outline and then have to refer to a photo to add detail. That being said,  I have found that when I am trying to record my observations it makes me more aware of my surroundings, and focused on not only things such as the way light plays off of the feathers as the bird moves about that is just not the same in a still frame.