Nature Journaling and Field Sketching

I was able to notice a lot more detail. Zooming in on the picture helped. It was easy to see the geometrical shapes, oval for the body and a smaller oval for the head. It was challenging to capture the softness of the feathers. I ended up using short strokes. For some reason the beak was challenging and I had to draw is a few times before I got it somewhat ok. The proportions between the body and the legs are off. I wouldn’t have noticed the little hole in the beak if I hadn’t drawn it. I also wouldn’t have noticed the brown stripes in the lower body along the feathers either. Yes, not getting the hole in the beak would have been an important omission.

Intended to draw electronically - with a new tool and a new technique. Came out better than expected, but still a long way to go.

I felt very intimidated, so I started with drawing the branch/leaves.  I noticed the shapes/textures of one leaf, the bark and the branch.  The warbler is so vivid and dynamic in the photo.  As I was drawing, I gained some confidence by focusing on the branch.  The most challenging thing is actually posting my sketch!

1.  I need a lot of practice of course!  But it looks much better than I thought it would, YaY!  The feeling of looking at the small details and trying to capture them in the drawing is fun, interesting, and frustrating all at the same time.  How do I make it look like that?  is the frustrating part, but I have confidence that I will learn how to improve that in this course.  It is really fun to see how much better this looks than I thought it would. 2.  I had recently watched the bird identification courses for size and shape, and colors and patterns, and there were some clues in those courses that helped me get some of the proportions better, which I would have struggled with so much more before.  For example, the distance from the back of the eye to the front of the head compared to the length of the bill or beak.  Is it a bill or a beak??  Hmmm.  Maybe it's a bill on a duck and a beak on everything else?  Something to look for in the course.

• This is a very familiar bird to me, and I was smiling as I drew it.  The bird was still, in nature this little guy is always moving. I liked all the leaves too. I noticed the shadows on the leaves and the texture of the branches.

1.  Drawing from a photo makes it easier to see details - the bird didn't move or quickly fly away and the lighting was constant.  I don't think anything came easy or particularly challenging (I've not artistic training), although getting a three dimensional 'look' to the drawing seemed difficult. 2.  I doubt I would have paid much attention to the proportions or the feather markings.  And yes, that will make a difference in my journaling.

When drawing from a photo you don’t have the problem of the subject you are drawing moving. What was most challenging is getting the proportions right and the bird’s head is slightly turned and it is hard to get that effect in the drawing. I would not have noticed the more subtle colored patterns of the feathers. It might not make a great difference in nature journaling to get all the colored patterns maybe just the more prominent ones.

It was a good exercise & I’m looking forward to improving my skills especially in relation to proportions.

I looked forward to this evening's warbler foibles... say that 10 times fast! Sketching and painting is the perfect end to a busy day. A full hour of figuring out how my watercolour pencils work. The first bird I've ever done... and I'm a bit surprised at myself... it looks like a warbler! It isn't a Robert Bateman, but I kind of like its amateur folksy quality. There was a lot I wouldn't have noticed without trying to draw it. The nails, the angle of the legs, the ruddy streaks on the breast. I think the attention to detail is wonderfully meditative and it will impact my journalling for the better. It also makes vice-presidential debates much more palatable to listen to... regardless of which side you're rooting for.

I enjoyed drawing this little guy.  I have a background in art, but it's been a long time since I've actually drawn anything.  It was a challenge recalling the techniques I had learned along the way.  I probably would have not noticed the branches and leaves as much and concentrated on observing the warbler, and that would make a difference in the "story" you are trying to convey of the moment.

I enjoyed trying to draw this bird, but it was hard to get the proportions right. The beak and eye placement were difficult too! I enjoyed seeing the details, especially in the color patterns and would not have noticed these details if not drawing. Fun!

Who thought drawing with pencil could be so much fun?! Thank heavens the bird did not take flight and I had an eraser. As a lifelong birder, I have never really drawn birds before. It really solidifies your appreciation for this male yellow warbler....which happens to be migrating thru my neck of the woods right now.

I noticed a lot more detail drawing the bird than I thought that I would. Little things like the birds talons, and the way the colours are.

I didn't notice lots of details at first, including the rusty stripes on the bird's breast, the white and orange moss on the branch and the way the leaves attach to the twig, the details of the birds feet etc.  Drawing is so much better at making you look.

In drawing from the photo I don't need to worry about my subject moving. To me at this point most challenging is getting the proportions correct. I always feel my drawing is a little off. By drawing the bird I become very aware of its shape and shading. There are so many things about drawing that increase your awareness and would otherwise go unnoticed,

I could not resist adding color. I have tried photographing yellow warblers once or twice, but had better luck with Wilson's warbler. Drawing them from life is pretty much impossible. Neat photo and good practice.  

Such great therapy ! Not sure when enough is enough.  I zoomed in after I thought I was finished and then saw so much  detail I had missed. So much to observe and see . Makes me want to be able to name the body parts correctly - I have some homework to😊

Jumping into the drawing was scary.  However, once I began the sketch, I found myself seeing details in the photo that I didn't initially notice.  I was so focused on the drawing that I lost track of time--a good thing.  The initial outline of the Yellow Warbler and branches/leaves was relatively easy.  What I found most difficult was the level of detail--deciding how much detail to include and how to show the differences in textures and colors with only a pencil.  I would not have noticed some of the detail, especially in the branches and leaves if I weren't drawing the photo.

It was so scary! I have not picked up a pencil in so long and I was anxious.  But after just diving in and concentrating it felt like meditation. I can see how practice will bring calmness and a more relaxed style.  So much more is seen when drawing, the texture of the branches, the slope of the back, the fluffy and stiff feathers. I am going to love this class! I look forward to adding color.

Getting the proportions right was most difficult. I would not have noticed the black in the wing feathers and the brown on the bird's belly if I hadn't paid such great attention to it trying to capture it. I kept thinking that I probably would not have noticed any of this either, had the bird been sitting on a twig near me, about to fly off any second.

I felt both relieved the subject wasn't moving, and worried about trying to do everything I could see.  The angle of legs and toes is always challenging.  If I wasn't asked to draw from the photo I wouldn't see how the toes hang over and curl around the branch.  Also the spots on the leaves and just how much lichen there was!  I believe nature journaling gives you the chance to find out what interests you most.  I can't wait to see how this works in the field!  

Drawing from a photograph was easier than thinking about drawing a moving subject!  Although - it was still intimidating to try to draw a subject as complex as a bird, branch leaves and multiple lichen/epiphytes!   I found it easy to block out the shapes and posture of the bird and legs.  I like looking at the outlines of different sections.  However, I spent so much time on the bird, that I realized by branch and leaves were out of proportion after the fact.  I tried to stop before overworking everything, but still fell into the trap of drawing from memory when I got to the leaves.   If actually nature journaling, the subject is moving!!!  ah!

I liked doing the drawing but didn't get the angle of the birds body correct. Drawing makes you look at the details, the feathers, the coloring.