I enjoyed this exercise.  Drawing the branch and leaves was fairly easy. I found it challenging to get the shape of the warbler right, the shape of the beak and the positioning of the eye.  I didn't notice the mosses growing on the branch before drawing it.  Things like this add nice detail to nature journaling.

1. A still photo meant I was able to capture the shading without having to think for myself, and I could copy the details. I am not used to watercolours which is why I wanted to try. I found the belly of the bird challenging, getting the stripes right with the paint, also the leaves, but decided it didn't matter if they weren't quite like the photo. I also adjusted the ratio of the branches to fit the page. I liked how the branches came out, even though the lichen was not detailed. One challenge was my cat standing on it which I wouldn't have in the field, but it took me 90 minutes which might be a bit too long for journalling outdoors. 2. Noticing all of the colours and shading in the twigs. It could make a difference nature journalling because it highlighted all of the lichen on the branches. If I was really interested in the lichen though I would have to pay attention to make that more detailed, but here felt the bird was the main focus. I was scared to try the background, I worried I would ruin it, but for nature journalling a plain background isn't important, unless trying to capture the feel of the habitat.

1. Enjoyed drawing from the photo - lots of time to see details. Sort of got shape of bird, but not position and slight tilt of head toward camera.  2.Would not have noticed different lengths/shapes of feathers on wing and variations in color from green/yellow/rust. Using photo made me “overwork” the image. No time for that when observing in nature.

1. I felt confident going into it as I used to do this as a kid with pictures of birds and fish, however, my ability to recreate nature images has diminished over time. 2. I was thinking about what kind of tree the warbler was perched on as I was asked to draw it, and I don't know if I would have thought about it that much. one thing that really stood out was the imperfection of nature on the leaves as they have the brown spots, which is also the beauty of it.I believe this will make a difference because it slowed me down to take in the whole image rather than the subject, the warbler.

I liked drawing from the photo because the bird is frozen in time so it gives you a chance to look more closely and notice things you wouldn’t normally be able to see like: the circle around it’s eye, the rust coloring (not black like I thought initially) of the streaks on its underside, and that pretty lichen (?) on the branches. One thing I struggled with was feeling overwhelmed by all the details. I wasn’t sure how to filter those details and know what was important to focus on in trying to represent the warbler accurately. I was also unsure how to capture the warbler in my mark making and didn’t feel confident in adding color. I’m looking forward to learning all of this going forward though! This was fun!

This did feel intimidating since I haven't done drawing in a number of years.  I appreciated so many more details by doing this drawing.  Especially when I added color... my eye noticed so much more.

1) I felt intimidated to just jump in and draw without any direction. But, upon completion, it felt rewarding. 2) I think there were many things I would not have noticed. In particular, the bird seemed to have layers of feathers of different lengths. I did not see that at first. The stick has moss that I may not have noticed. The leaves had small but distinct ridges which upon first glance were not obvious to me. 3) Yes, focusing on the details adds to the story. A bird perched on a branch expands to "A bird is perched on a branch that has moss growing in various places. There is evidence of other life also occupying this space as several of leaves have been partially eaten...."

I enjoyed Drawing from the photo. I had to redo the beak and the shoulder a few times to try to have the slight side turn of the head (with mixed results). The photo is helpful for shape/contour and details about hues of yellow. I don't know how I will be able to do this when birds are moving around frantically feeding.

  I like to copy photos because the subject is still so it is easier. I first drew an outline of everything and then attempted to paint with watercolors- this was frustrating because the details felt impossible to draw with watercolor and the final image was very rudimentary. next I tried to sketch with pencil but wanted to capture color so i switched to colored pencils to fill it in. The more I tried to get it "right" the worse it looked! ALL of the proportions are off... Im not sure if this is accurate, but I am left handed and I find that I am more comfortable copying pictures or sketching images that are in the opposite direction as the image for the assignment. Curious if any other left handed people feel the same or it is just me.

1. I was more comfortable with the process and the result than I thought I would be. The result looks closer than I expected. General shape was easy, but getting the details down was not. 2. The colors  - the detailed variations and shadings - were things I would have noticed less if I just took a photo of the bird. Those will be challenging to get right (or right enough to satisfy me). The challenge will be tougher, I think, if I'm trying to get the colors right while sketching in the field, especially given how quickly these little birds move.  

1. I enjoy sketching birds, and working from a photo makes it easier. The overall shape of the birds came together pretty quickly, but the beak, eye placement, and wing feathers were more challenging. Wing feathers always give me trouble—I think I’d rather group them as sections instead of drawing each feather individually. I also tried using a colored pencil with three different colors blended into the lead, but I didn’t really enjoy it since I never knew what color was going to show up. Another challenge was keeping the sketch simple and not getting caught up in too much detail. 2. Initially, I didn’t notice the awkward angle of the lead foot or how much black was in the wing feathers. I’m not sure these details would stand out as much when nature journaling since I wouldn’t see the birds so closely in the field. However, I imagine field sketching would give me more insight into their behavior, movements, and song, which would really help me get to know them better.

I enjoyed drawing this warbler and discovering all the different textures of his feathers.  It was hard to get the eye right including the little twinkle.  I am looking forward to improve my observation and drawing skills with this course

I enjoy sketching. Taking this class as a way to add more "pencil miles" and get better at things like proportions and postures. As a relatively new birder and photographer, I see sketching as a means to slow down and learn more details about each bird.

The photo was nice in context that it did not move! I struggled with the beak and the darkness of the pencil. I noticed the overall shape and size of the warbler. The feet holding on to the branch were interesting. The branch detail of lichen and rust on the leaves as well as the alternate spacing of the foliage were also interesting.

A fun exercise.  I did a very quick sketch - no erasing or smudging.  It doesn't have much depth and proportions are a bit off, so hoping I improve during the course.

I was a bit intimidated by the warbler so I focused on the branch first which turned out to be a mistake becasue then I got my spacing off on the bird. But starting with the branch did make me feel more relaxed when it came time to draw in the warbler. I noticed that all of the birds toes don't wrap around the branch, I wonder if this is because it was mid movement or if this is typical of warblers when they perch. I wouldn't have noticed that at all if I wasn't drawing it. This would make a huge difference if journaling in the field because it led to questions that I could then attempt to answer with further observation.

1. I enjoyed it! I followed the suggestion of the young man who was last to present his journal: he said it helped him to think of a bird in terms of rounded shapes, a circle for the head, an egg or oval for the body etc. That made things easier. I still haven't colored my warbler though because I'm waiting for my colored pencils to arrive in the mail! 2. I don't know that I'd have noticed the twig on which the bird was perched. This might give a clue in future as to which shrub or understory tree the bird liked to frequent which would be an important clue to habitat preferences.

I don't think I would've been able to draw the bird in real life because I would've been too concerned it would move. It was easier from a photograph because there's no movement. I would've missed details like the shape of the beak and the different layers the wings have. It has always been challenging for me to draw the shape of a birds head and then placing the eye in the right spot. I would've missed how the feet wrap around the stem.  I don't think I would've remembered the details if I have not drawn it. I think drawing certainly makes you pay attention to things you may not think about if you're just looking at a picture.

1. I felt okay about drawing the photo because it gave me something to focus on, while some of my art tends to be a bit more free hand. For me, trying to draw the bird and the sticks at first was a bit hard as I tried to get the layout right, but as time went on it got more fun as I tried to put my own little art spin on the drawing once I was happy with the outline. The leaves were pretty easy and fun to do. 2. Maybe if I were to told to focus on only the bird, I might not have noticed the leaves and moss on the sticks. The same could be said if I were to focus on the stick, I might not have noticed the streaking on the bird's chest. I feel what you notice as you draw is important to journaling or just art in general because it lets you notice and appreciate the little things and can help you make a more interesting drawing or connect more with nature.

Easy part was the bird was holding still!  Challenge was not focusing too much on non-essential details.

I felt pretty nervous and hesitant starting this drawing, but as it started to come together I felt a bit more optimistic and open to possibility. I found the wing very challenging to draw, as well as capturing the overall shape of the bird. I may not have noticed the striped details if I hadn't been asked to draw it. It'll be very interesting to try to capture details while nature journaling!

I was nervous about drawing from the photo because I am not very good at drawing. Making the bird look like the photo was challenging, getting the details down. I may not have noticed the details on the wings if I did not draw it.  Drawing definitely makes me pay attention to the details of the subject I am drawing.