As I began, I felt the hesitation that comes with the pressure to "perform" - even though this is course is just for me, I still find myself motivated by a need to achieve. But as I began getting lost in the texture of the branches, the shape of the leaves, the posture of the warbler, the need to be "good" was overcome by an enjoyment of the detail of nature. A look at the photograph reveals a striking yellow bird against a background of green. But with a pencil in hand, trying to recreate the image, I saw all the life that is present in the image. It is not just a branch, but a symbiotic relationship with at least four forms of lichen, not just a yellow bird, but a bird with yellow, grey, deep black, rust orange. He (she?) is not just sitting on a branch, but poised, watchful, alive. In the end, I didn't add color because I like how the rough sketch captures the movement and texture and shape. I feel as though I now know a bit about yellow warblers, and will more easily identify one in the future - a knowledge I wouldn't have just from looking at the photo.

nice to be able to capture this image without concern that bird would move!  able to check out size of body compared to head. Tried to add color but my paper wasn't good for wet media if I tried to add more than one layer.  Ok though because I chose to use a sketchpad I had at home .  I noticed how many colors are on this bird that I would have missed if drawing it in nature. When I draw it next I will be able to add those colors.

Inspired by the journal survey video, I was trying to think about birds' shapes, about how to fill the page, and about how to verbally note the experience in addition to images. Because I wasn't in the field, I borrowed my text from the Cornell Lab overview of the yellow warbler, in addition to writing in my ideas about drawing vs. photographs (for me it's in the timing of detail: drawing invites contemplation of details in the moment, whereas a looking at a photograph, not necessarily taking a photograph, invites contemplation of detail after the encounter has ended). Thinking about shapes actually really did make the drawing easier, but I really struggled with finding a full-page style that I liked. When I first started this course I was all about learning more about drawing anatomy, but now I'm excited to think about developing a visual thinking style that includes both text and image. I definitely don't think I would have paid attention to the moss on the twig if I weren't trying to draw the photograph, and I also don't think I would have noticed how the head of the warbler isn't mottled with other colors. I think it'll definitely make a difference when journaling, but I'm unsure how I'll react to missing detail when confronted with moving and living beings who can remove themselves from the portrait sitting at any moment.

I felt  overwhelmed - there is so much to the bird, how can I draw it all?  The overall bird outline came easily, although the proportions need some work.  I found it challenging to draw the leaves well, and impossible to reproduce the glossy, leathery texture of the leaves.  I avoided entirely the challenge of expressing the lichen on the branch.

It was difficult to get the proportions right—how long the legs should be, how long the tail sticks out relative to the rest of the bird. I thought proportions would come more naturally, but turns out it's hard to get them right! I did enjoy the process of drawing the bird, and felt like I noticed the streaks on the chest in greater detail than I would have had I simply taken a photo and moved on. I also noticed that right near the bird's nape (back of neck, yes?) the yellow hue turns more olive-yellow as opposed to the bright lemon-yellow on the birds face and flanks. This would definitely make a difference in nature journaling, because otherwise these details would be missed.

Did not use color on this, but here it is. I am not in love with the result, but I am trying not to judge myself and have forced myself to share! I found myself noticing the details on leaves and the bark as well as the slight tones of grey around the bird's head. I struggled to bring the image to life the way I would like, and evoke a sense of the "moment." If I was not asked the draw the photo, I probably would not have noticed the way the leg positioning changes the overall shape of the bird. 

It was a lot harder to draw than I imagined but I enjoyed doing it immensely -- I was completely absorbed in the details, even if I didn't do a very good job of portraying them.  I wouldn't say anything came easily.  I have not tried drawing anything like that in nearly 40 years.   I have been taking photos of birds for some time, and this is very different.   I am a bird watcher and educator, so I am used to spending time observing bird form and behaviour through binoculars or scope and identifying and interepreting them for groups, but this is a very different experience, lending much more attention to the finer details of the form and physical features rather than behavior.  (Now I see the bill is more like a duck's -- a Duck-billed Warbler!)

• Well, the subject didn't fly away - that's good! The photograph gave me time to observe details about the bird I probably wouldn't have noticed in the field. In the field, birds are tiny, quick and tend to hide behind branches, leaves and in the underbrush, making observation difficult. I didn't use watercolor for this first sketch (computer is upstairs, drawing equipment is downstairs). I will print out the warbler picture to work on for my next sketch. I think that next time, I will try to compose the picture better.
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I found this difficult. I didn't even try to add color. After comparing what I did to the others, I feel like I'm just not very good. It's frustrating because I have taken drawing lessons. I don't know how it would be to draw warblers from life, as they are always moving.

Typically, I draw from photos instead of from real life, which is much harder.  I often take photos, just so that I can zoom into what I see, and with birds, have a better chance of identification.  While working on this exercise, I found myself more attentive, interestingly enough, to the texture of the feathers and leaves -- as well as the variations of color.

Im a complete beginner in sketching, painting etc. and .  The photo was was a challenge as there was this desire to capture all the detail. I would think I was done then would see something else that I missed. Hoping to learn alot.  I love nature and live in a setting close to Rocky Mountain National Park so will have lotsa of opportunities to capture what see.

Drawing from photo for me is the way I do most of my drawings of birds, so I'm familiar to this type of drawing. I usually start by the limit of the head and bill, for me this sets my proportions. I continued by setting the length of the wings, were I always struggle to get it right. I then set the limit for my alula feathers and the coverts on the wings, I did the rest of the body and tail in last. The golden hues on the head and gorge (throat) probably I would miss it. The black center of the secundaries and the black on primaries made me focus more there a bit. Doing the drawing I have two questions: Is there a black bar on the wings if the bird was in flight? What is the species of the tree where the bird seats, and is there a conection between the two?

Body was sort of not difficult. I struggle with proportions. It’s head looks big and heavy, though it’s a lithe looking bird. i wouldn’t have noticed how thin and stripped the wing feathers are as they lay against the body.

A photo is fast, and captures a moment. That makes them hard to imitate, though a lot easier than just drawing in the field. I have the hardest time with beaks. Mine never seem to be the right shape, angle, etc.   I never before realized how much black and grey are on a yellow warbler.

I did a reasonable if static drawing with pencil only.  It certainly makes one focus on the details that make the bird recognizable.  I have a terrible time seeing Warblers on birding walks.  They are so active and like the tree tops I think.  Haven’t mastered the process of including a photo. Time to call the grandkids. I also gave some thought to how I would structure my journal on the page.

It is easier to draw from the photo as I have time to notice the detail for the bird doesn't change position. Shading is difficult and the feet.  I noticed yellows and browns on the legs of the bird and that the bird was not all yellow.  Recognizing the differences brings a deeper aspect to the subject.  A more complex view of the creature.

1. Drawing from a photo, especially birds or other creatures who move frequently, is easier when we're learning but my painting felt stiff and lacked life. 2.  I had to look carefully when trying to draw the arrangement of feathers and it didn't turn out as well as I hoped, but I'm getting used to the paint brush and the pencil. I wouldn't have noticed the very particular feather positions if I wasn't struggling to get them right. I need an anatomy course on birds! 3. In nature journaling out in the field or observing and drawing birds at my feeder my marks would have been much freer and livelier. He liveliness is what I liked about D.J. McNeil's journal.  K. Belletire

The legs & claws were the most challenging but the ability to look at a fixed object as opposed to a moving one makes it easier to focus on detail. Out in the field, those details probably become more of a blur and thus the journalist can take more liberty in the drawing. Wish I had used color.