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.

It always takes me a long time to sketch, so it is easier for me to draw from a picture.  I need more practice so that I can move quicker and also with moving objects.

Drawing from the photo seemed easier at first. I tried to use the circle/ egg shape suggestion from the earlier video. I like the result, although my bird looks a bit fatter! The beak is quite difficult! If I wasn't asked to draw, I probably wouldn't have noticed it in detail. Drawing makes me look at things in another way; a better way; and it makes me want to stay "there", drawing and drawing...

I'm most comfortable drawing with just pencil, but I am going to try and challenge myself to add more colours to my work. To draw this, I started by drawing the negative space between the warbler and the branches it's perched on. I tried starting with the eye at first but my proportions seems really off. This other approach helped me and trained my eye-hand coordination, which needs more practice too. This was a fun exercise, but I am a slow drawer so doing moving animals is a bit daunting... though, I am excited to give it a try and practice more to improve! I love bird watching and identifying plants so this course will definitely be worthwhile!

There are 2 of us doing the course together- mama and 13 year old son:) 1. It was really fun. Getting the basic shape of the bird was really easy but the lighting was more challenging. As the adult who doesn't really draw- it was frustrating to try and put down on paper what I was seeing in the photo in an accurate way. 2. The shape of some of the feathers. Striping on the breast feathers.