I can't seem to upload my photo, but I really enjoyed the process and didn't expect to this early on in the course. The videos of different types of nature jourals helped because it really implied that there are no rights or wrongs. I love slowing down and noticing, being more mindful because not only is the process more appealing and meditative, but I learned so much more about the bird than I would looking at a photo including angles body and head, details like the rust streaks on the breast or the delicate foot and positioning.

This was challenging, but I enjoyed it. The leaves were harder than the bird. Maybe when I color it in it will help with the details. I would not have looked at the lichen so closely if it were not a photo.

An interesting start. Working from a photo gives the luxury of time that I doubt we would have in the field! Good practice, all the same. 

I had  problems with finding image to paint and then to submit. . too frustrating. Turned out too muddy.  Inspired me to try another and don’t see the one 8 “submitted. It was too big.   Will try again. Tried 4 times doesn’t work big or small. Disappointed

I’m glad my first drawing was from a photo; it gave me plenty of time to study details. It was ‘easy’ to put my pencil on the paper to draw but challenging to make accurate lines, to get dimensions correct and to shade in the various density of color.  I wasn’t sure just how much time to spend on refining my drawing.  I noticed small details such as lichen, leaf ribbing and the slight turn in the warbler’s head.  It’s very unlikely I would notice these things when nature journaling vs. drawing from a photo.

1. I felt unqualified to start drawing without any training, but as I began I realized I have more skills in my tool belt already than I realized. It was easy to get the general shape of the bird, but the details were more challenging for me. I tried to upload a photo but it was too big. Also the main challenge was learning how to manipulate and correctly use the watercolor pen. I'm going to watch a few youtube tutorials (or maybe it's covered in the next classes?) to learn. 2. I don't think I would have noticed all of the dark colors and the crisp lines especially in the beak, eye, and wing. I think that when you pay attention, that's when you notice the true details.

Nothing came 'easy', as I was suddenly overcomed with a sense of 'this's stupid, I can't draw'. But in a few seconds this sensation dissipated, and I realised I was quite enjoying just paying attention to the details. Photos can take instant recordings of details, but it takes a sketching eye to pay attention to those. Looking forward to the next moments of flow!

I like the vibrancy of the photograph (this one in particular!) and the fact that I can zoom in on the photo if I need to look at more of the details. Drawing from a photo is a great way for me to look at these details in a way that I would not normally do when I see a bird. It will be interesting to see how sketching from a photo will help when we are in the field with a moving "target". I enjoyed just being in the moment with this exercise, thinking of nothing but sketching the bird. 

My late night try at the little yellow warbler.  I wrote my comments on my sketch page actually. Thanks for the opportunity to share.

1. I am okay with my drawing, but think there is lots of room for improvement. The proportions and details of the wings took a few tries to get right, and I still have no idea what to do with the feet. 2. I definitely would not have noticed the subtle patterns on the bird's back feathers, or the texture of the leaves surrounding the bird. 

i enjoyed drawing from the photo - the bird didn't move or fly away!  I noticed the birds feet and long claws.  Those are important details that indicate what action the bird might do in the next instant.

I found it daunting at first but then enjoyed it. The bird was easier than the leaves. I wouldn't have noticed the layering of the wing feathers or the fact that some of the leaves had been partially eaten. Yes, drawing definitely made me more observant.

My drawing is medicore. It was easy to make a quick sketch but adding details were difficult. Also, difficulty in adding depth. I noticed more details of the bird and foliage.  

I really enjoyed this activity. I am learning from home because the schools have closed and this will be my art project. It was challenging to do it with no instructions. I can’t wait to get outside and start drawing.

I've always felt like I have no drawing ability whatsoever but this first attempt did not come out as dreadful as anticipated! I'm keen to see how my (lack of) skills progress during the course. 1. I'm glad we were drawing from a photo so I could keep referring back. My eraser got a workout! The general shape was easier than trying to get the shading and details added in. I need to find some watercolor paints. 2. I've seen yellow warblers many times but don't know that I've noticed all the subtle color variations. also, the structure of the claws as they wrapped around the branch was really interesting.

This was a really fun exercise, and I can't wait to learn techniques and tricks to make my drawings come to life.  My main take-away was that it's going to be much more challenging to draw a creature as when we see it in nature, because I had to refer back to the photo dozens and dozens of times to try to get it right!

I felt that I could have done better, but I can't be absolutely perfect. Though I'm still satisfied with how I did. Figuring out the shape of the bird came along quite well, but the details on the bird, on the wing, especially, were quite difficult, and I would like to improve in that area. If I hadn't drawn this photo, I wouldn't have noticed all of the colors that this Yellow Warbler really had. Still, this was a very fun activity.

It was very difficult to get the shape just right.  Oh and the beak is terrible.  I hope I improve.  I used some colored pencils but am looking forward to using water colors.  More and more subtle colors are needed.  I could see the details but just couldn't duplicate them. However, I have to say I liked the challenge.

The most difficult part of this exercise for me was getting the proportions right.  Drawing it made me focus on the layers of feathers which I hadn't really analyzed before.  I would like to be able to show the different kinds of textures on the bird  - soft, fluffy, sharp, shiny etc.  but I have no idea how to do that.  This type of exercise makes me slow down and look at details in a way I don't do when I'm taking photos.

This was a fun challenge because I haven’t made a sketch in many years!   I don’t think any of it came easily...except maybe drawing the leaves.   All the proportions of the warbler were challenging to me, and I’m not so pleased with the head/ bill.   Also, I have not used this type of pencil before, so discovered how easily the lead is smeared when adding color. 2.  I would not have noticed the subtle lighting on his eye and bill if I hadn’t been asked to draw it..nor would I have noticed the soft feathering on his belly.  Such a sweet little bird.  I don’t know that this would make a big difference in nature journal, since I am trying to capture a memory.  However, the details are most helpful when trying to make identifications. 

I really enjoyed drawing this yellow warbler. Drawing a bird really opens up a whole new experience and perception of them. You really start noticing things like texture, posture, expression, identification features you may not have noticed before as well as the surrounding foliage. You may never notice these things to the same extent if you just take a photograph. This definitely gives drawing in the field an advantage for noticing and appreciating what you are seeing in front of you. A picture does have the advantage of exact proportion and colouring. I found getting the textures right while doing this drawing challenging; such as the soft feathers on the upper back of the bird and by the birds legs as well as the twig it stands on. 

1. Woof. I probably shouldn't have looked at other drawings before responding. My anxiety about drawing really came out. By comparison, I feel a bit like a toddler and I've never used watercolors before so I just stuck with the pencil. I'm a big advocate of the "drawing to see" method in ethnography but I also recognize that drawing is not easy, especially for adults who have never drawn before. Nothing came easily but I do feel like I thought about the photograph more than I normally would, simply by having to draw it. The feet...the feet were so challenging for me. And proportions too, I guess? I was trying to think about how this drawing might work if I was standing, where I normally birdwatch; just a quick sketch in the corner of my journal. 2. Definitely the sharp, perfectly round and glassy eye. Watching Liz a second time really helped...happy to share because, well, maybe it'll be a glow up warbler.

This is so challenging!  I'm pleased that my Yellow Warbler is at least recognizable and that I'm actually willing to share it.  It took me forever and this is my 1st attempt at using watercolors.  I'm not sure it would be recognizable without the yellow (and oops splotchy red breast streaks).  I'm a pretty serious birder and have been birding off and on all my life and love iPhone photography - for birds through my spotting scope, but I'm hoping to find more time to slow down, be still, and be more observant of behavior and details; partly with a goal to become an even better birder.  This is the perfect course for coronavirus isolation, though getting out in nature is a bit more challenging.  I probably wouldn't have noticed the leg color and details of bill size and shape if I weren't drawing this.  I love Yellow Warblers and have spent a lot of time in willow thickets in the Sierra with dozens of them during breeding season while my husband was flyfishing.