Agree with other's comments that taking the time to draw encourages focus on the details of the bird that might have been overlooked if I had just snapped a photo and filed that away. Still, I can't draw as well as I expect myself to be able to and it's hard to be satisfied with the end result so this is something that I will have to work on -- that is, I will both have to work on improving my drawing abilities as well as work on being satisfied with less than perfect results since I don't want to get discouraged and give up because my journal is not "picture perfect". I have watched a few videos about bird drawing techniques and my bird is still not satisfactory. Even though I do know what a Yellow Warbler looks like, I was surprised to notice the slightly darker shading around the back of the head and back, since I tend to think of them as "all yellow"....if I hadn't been drawing this one I probably wouldn't have seen that.

The claws and legs were the most challenging but from a fixed object, detail was easier to capture. Out in the field one might only capture a primitive rendering, thus missing minute details that distinguish one species from another. Wish I had used color.

I took a while to begin drawing.  I tend to neglect enjoyment of the process and worry about whether  my finished drawing will look like the picture provided.  I thought about one of the videos in the first lesson and looked for shapes in the parts of the bird.  I noticed the variations of the grays in a bird with such vibrant yellow feathers.

Drawing from a photo has the advantage of the subject not moving and with a digital photo the ability to zoom in is helpful. The down side is that a photo is very flat and it’s hard to get a feeling of volume. The ability to see feather and foot detail helps you learn the bird’s structure and that can always be applied when drawing in the field.

Drawing from photography allows me eternal observation time. I can really take my time looking at the coloring, feather patterns, beak style (grrr - my biggest challenge!) The fact that it was so close I could really see it. In nature journaling the subject won't be so close so I won't be able to get the small details

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.