Nature Journaling and Field Sketching

Doing a drawing caused me to look at the yellow warbler more closely than I normally would. I saw that there were black feathers on the wings and that the yellow was brightest on the head and neck.

This was a fun exercise. I used pencil, watercolor colored pencils, and some colored ink for outlining. Experimenting with the colored pencils and the washes to imitate the photograph was a huge challenge that did not succeed, but that's why I'm taking this class! I second other people's comments that drawing from real life is much harder for me than from a static photograph. I love seeing what others have done with this assignment. I also wish my photo better captured the colors I used.

I like the idea of keeping a blank page next to the image. I cannot draw but I hope to learn. I took a botanical art course which started me on the quest of nature journaling.  I am going to keep with it.  

Drawing from a photo gives me a chance to keep redoing until I get it "right." Although this sketch was done quickly due to time constraints. It will be a challenge to journal outside because I like to control the pencil. I also like the details a photo gives. Those talons are sharp! And the eye truly is marble-like. Neither of these would have caught my attention if I had not been asked to draw it.

I found the whole exercise challenging, particularly trying to get things to scale, and shading correctly. I also would not have noticed all the detail in the leaves, like the blemishes and where an insect had apparently eaten a pice.

• I was excited to try drawing right away. I knew it would be rough, and could only get better.
• I was slightly impatient, and my wrist started to hurt. Drawing feathers and textures and shadows is a challenge for me.
• I think I wouldn't have noticed the little talons, and how they did not all curl around the branch.
• I'm not sure what the last question is asking...

It helped me to look at details that I would not see by looking though a photo. It was difficult to draw feathers. I felt that more I tried to put details, further the drawing gets from the actual look. I am looking forward to learning painting different shades of colors.

I really enjoyed drawing the leaves and branch but struggled with the bird. I couldn't get the depth in the feathers that I could see in the photo so I tried adding some outlines but I'm still not happy with how it turned out. I'm excited to continue with the course to see how I can improve. I'm leaving the page blank next to this drawing so I can come back a re draw it right next to this one to directly compare the two.

1. Its good to draw from a photo I can take my time and and se more details the more Im coming in to the state of the right side of the brain. Nothing was easy its the first time I draw in 20 years, but an interesting thing is that I normaly write with my left hand but its easier to draw with the right hand isnt that interesting ? 2. I noticed more of the small details in the wings, the claws, and the colours ! It is a difference to notice more details and study the details !

I enjoy drawing from a photo.  I can see the details and do not feel rushed.  I can look and study the shapes.  This may change as I get more proficient at drawing.  I plan on using photos and drawing from them. I will use my observations to catch behavior and my thoughts in the journal  and try putting the 2 together.

Embarrassed at home bad it is

After uploading the image yesterday, I decided to add some descriptive information. Drawing from a photo is one thing, but I don't see how I'm going to do it from a moving object!

What are chirps? How do I get or give them? oh never mind. I figured that chirps are just comments.

I just used my mechanical pencil then filled in with my kid's colored pencils. Didn't want to touch those watercolors yet, since I'm sure I would have made a mess. What I find impossible is how to make the "outline" disappear. Also, my drawing looks flat. I need to learn how to shade or whatever you call it to give the subject depth and curves and volume.

I tried to upload some pictures but I failed. It's ok. I am going to type here. So I tried to draw the bird with my pen first so that it has a configuration of the outline of the bird. However, the proportion is hard to control. I tried a couple of times but it was just not accurate enough. So the last time I just gave up and used color pens directly. A very colorful bird has emerged. I just felt that things don't need to be perfect. It's almost done. It's ok.

This is my yellow warbler. It didn’t take much time, I think I’m gonna draw it again taking more time and using color. But drawing from a photo is not like drawing in the field. I am afraid it will be quite difficult to make a sketch on site, with the bird moving...

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