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Are you ready to share your before and after drawings of the yellow warbler? Which of your new drawing techniques were you able to apply? What are you feeling good about and what do you still want to work on?You must be enrolled in the course to reply to this topic.
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I think I paid more attention to detail in my later drawing. My first was color pencil and second was watercolor with details in color & graphite pencils.
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The pencil drawing is my "before" drawing. Initially I wasn't happy with my "after" drawing, but looking at the drawings side-by-side made me see how much better the proportions and accuracy are in the "after" drawing--I'm clearly letting my brain "fill in the gaps" less. I am still getting used to watercolor layering and color mixing. The tiny black details on the warbler were tough, and the electric yellow was a hard color to replicate. Things to work on!
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I am pleased with the improvements from the sketch to the watercolor. My sense of proportion is much better! Adding color makes a world of difference. I tried stippling and utilizing negative space which were helpful. I could be more patient in mixing colors and applying layers. I definitely need more practice with the wash technique and chiaroscuro. Overall, a successful journey!
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I’ve been taking this class off and on for a year now! Life happens! The lower image is my first sketch and for the recent one I tried to get more life and personality into this little bird. I have had a lot of fun but I think I will always be more of a wander around, take pictures then draw at my desk kind of a person. I am trying to make more notes when I’m out so I can remember more of the feel of the place.
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I actually like the before picture, there is a spontaneity to it that appeals to me. I used dry brush for the branch, color layering, applying a wash (didn’t turn out very well) and used negative space to check my drawing.
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I think both my first drawing and this last one turned out pretty well. The photos are poor quality since this is a chromebook camera but at least it shows the general shapes. I would like to work on the dry brush for the feather textures in particular. I feel it will be a useful tool once I can do it better. The moss was surprisingly fun! I did pointillism rapidly so they blended a little and it captured the look pretty well, I think. The leaves were a challenge, as far as placement, colour, and the veins go. I had fun placing everything on the page using negative space to double check. This course taught me so many new techniques! I am so happy to learn them as it will improve my drawing/painting/nature journaling skills. Thank you so much, Liz!
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The bottom is before and the top is after ☺️
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This was drawing at start of course.
Back to the course with the drawing at then end. Then decide to paint it... second try at painting it...
Wow, I learned a lot about sketching and watercolor. I have so many things to practice and have appreciated the opportunity in taking this course! Not sure I captured all I should have within the painting, but it certainly will bring positive memories. I keep talking about sketching and now I need to get at it! Thanks Liz!
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I haven't been drawing since school and never used watercolour. But I have been into birding and wildlife photography for some time, learning about behaviour and letting all my senses explore my environment. And I am super happy with the progress I made even in a short time. Negative space was an eye-opener, as well as gesture drawing and the tools for measuring. To know that with short sketchy lines I can keep refining until I am happy. I am astonished how much more I see and notice now, after studying a subject for hours. I still have to practice painting with the dry-on-dry technique and mixing the colours. I still feel I am using too much water. And I have to work on creating textures. I feel that I learned so many useful techniques and will keep practising. I absolutely loved this course. Thank you for inspiring me.
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I like the sketchy line approach too!
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These they are. Again the negative space was a big thing for me - really helpful. The leaves and branches of the Elm Tree came out well after I decided to leave them out first time round. Unfortunately I then proceeded to paint in the green background wash, and I wasn't happy with that version AT ALL. Fortunately I have a a"before" photo to share. I will work on the green version on a few days and see if I can redeem it. Clearly I need to do more work on background washes and when and how to apply them ensuring I get the balance right.
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I still need to work on how to get neat outlines and how to produce veins in leaves, but that's enough for this one!
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@Gillie You really nailed the eye and overall sense for the feathers, nice!
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Placing my two Yellow Warblers side by side I can really see the benefit of adding color to parts of my journal. I still like using pencil to show detail and I like how the two techniques work together. I felt more comfortable using the photograph as a reference but arranging its elements on the page to suit the story I wanted to tell. I would like to keep working on different ways of combining these techniques and adding background washes too.
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Color really did make your drawing pop! I cannot believe all the leaves you drew beautifully. I barely could draw a few.
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All the techniques came together here - adding color was greatest improvement. Proportions were better, shapes were better too.
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Nice! I would be able to identify that bird from your painting!
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- Understanding that I need to let the colors dry as I apply color. This is why I felt like I couldn’t control the paint before. I use mostly acrylics, but have always admired watercolor paintings. This class has given me so much more convenience in using watercolors. I still need to work on blending colors and knowing how much water to use on my brush.
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I have never painted with any paint...I learned with watercolor...patience...let the paint dry.
- Understanding that I need to let the colors dry as I apply color. This is why I felt like I couldn’t control the paint before. I use mostly acrylics, but have always admired watercolor paintings. This class has given me so
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New techniques I was able to apply were Gesture Sketching, and Proportions. I feel better about the proportions because I always feel like something is off, but something I would still like to improve would be drawing/painting bird feet and realism.
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The eye and overall body shape is perfect! I realize now my warbler is a bit longer than he should be...oops!
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Honestly, I can appreciate my progress comparing "after and before" seeing the results, anyway, I´m having problems to get some colors, because I´m working with a watercolors `no matte´ box, and I still have doubts in the selection for mixing and calculate accurate portions to obtein tones that I expect. Slowly, but I feel that I improve in the application of learned techniques, but to shade or feign proportions or volume, I need to do it with a ballpen, pencils or markers, for me it´s essential to give it more expressiveness. Obviously it´s different the sheet that I used for my first exercise too, for which I chose one page of my own diary and give way to a new phase.
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I started this course in fall 2019. I kept meaning to get back to it after the holidays, but then, well, life got interesting for all of us. Finally I finished the second picture! I was able to be more detailed and more adventurous the second time around, and more accurate with the colors. I used a glaze for the background and established a palette, with notes, that I was able to recreate over two years later. I still had trouble with smudging the eye! I am also working on getting the right amount of pigment and water on the brush, and steady brushstrokes. I’m a much more confident artist now when I actually paint!
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Learning about negative space was a game changer for me! How to measure proportions and layering of color was also really helpful. This was such a great course!
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Wow! That's what the bird truly looks like...nice!
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The contrast between my before and after drawings show the effectiveness of Liz's instructions. I used her tips on varying values to create dimension, squiggles to create the lichen, stippling in the branch, and negative space to position the bird on the branch. The proportion measuring with a pencil trick helped my poor bird's first shape improve. I am happy with my progress and look forward to gaining skill with all these tools.
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I feel like I got the overall proportions better by using my pencil to measure. I also got the proportions within the bird more accurate this way. Really like the eye placement and size much better in my second painting.
I am feeling good about my water color techniques and want to continue working with them. My new journal that I just started has heavier real watercolor paper in it so I can use my paints a lot more.
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I admire your crisp use of black in the feathers. Your lines are so clean and straight! Any tips for doing that?
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Negative space, sketchy lines, dry brush.
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Great job on the bird, and the branch is very realistic as well!
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Great job I think you nailed it. Love it. The eye is hard to do but you got it. The eye puts life in the picture.
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The branch looks so real...love the eye....great work!
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The branch looks so real....I need toward on the branch too ...love the eye....great work!
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My before sketch was completed in my notebook for the class. The after sketch was completed in the MixMedia sketch pad. During the course, I switched from sketching pencils to a mechanical pencil to assist me in completing crisp, shorter strokes. I am more mindful of negative space. The after image is OK but I would like to achieve more vibrant color and utilize more color mixing to achieve the desired results.The after image was made with a chrome book camera and it does not reproduce the color or image sharpness very well.
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I had not used watercolor prior to taking this class and I have done a few landscapes as practice exercises. A few things I like about the yellow warbler w/watercolor: I didn't overwork the bird as in the original sketch - this is something I've definitely adopted to my sketching; I was much more patient with the watercolor and like some of the texture of the branches and leaves that layering different colors and tones created; I used the negative space to create a more proportional bird. Though this doesn't come through entirely in the photo, I used a water on water technique to just shade the paper green. I was really surprised at how much depth and warmth just that little color added to the overall impression. I'll work on watercolor technique forever, but isn't that the point?
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I am extremely proud of my painting. I love how this image was from strange to expert. For example in the before image the eye is out of course, the olive yellow back was too short, the branch was too short, and the bird was all slim down. But in the after it looks more realistic, alive, and accurate. There is color; the branch, eye, and back are accurate; the details are excellent. I dd not knew anything of proportion or watercolors. But now this made me become a " Be a better Painter". :)
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I'm surprised at the skills gained after a year in the course. How delightful to grow in this journey will everyone and I truly look forward to seeing one year from now how my skills have developed.
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I love the beak, the eye, the feathers...and although I did learn so much with the watercolor, I need to improve my sketching....nice work on your sketches!
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I am pleased how my lessons improved this Yellow Warbler, Watercolor is my medium of choice, sometimes waiting for the paint to dry is my challenge. Therefore, taking my time, waiting until the paint dries, don't be in a hurry. I must say this little bird on July 7th took almost two hours to complete.
This class has taught me many new things. I have loved nature all my live, loved to hike and backpack and put in the miles. Now - I enjoy sitting in the forest, listen to the birds, forage for edibles, take photos and attempt to paint. I have often taken my sketchbook along, usually I take a photo and draw at home. My question is - when will I sit down and actually do a plein air....? hoping to find a group to paint outside.
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Gerda, you are so right about taking time to allow the paint to dry. This is my stumbling block to avoid as well, but I'm still slow to finish my work. Sometimes I sit it on the piano where I will pass it several times a day. Seeing it upright instead of flat on a table and at a distance reveals things I can do to improve. BTW, my husband and I harvested acorns this year and made acorn crepes and pancakes. Delicious!
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I have enjoyed taking this course(although it took me months to get through it). I always enjoyed drawing but am badly out of practice. This course helped me get back into it and going forward I am going to draw and sketch more frequently. I did a pencil sketch the second time around feeling it will be a good compare and contrast. In the second one I did pay more attention to detail, as well as using proportion and negative space as aids.
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It took me a year and one day to get this course completed. I think my final bird looks kind of worried, but overall has better proportions than the portly one I first drew. I used the idea of looking at negative space to get the body to be more accurate. From taking the course, I also learned to do the background all at once to start, instead of afterward and I had a lot less color bleeding that way. When I did my first painting, I didn't know about letting the layers dry and everything kind of bled together. In the second attempt, I was able to get more details on the stomach stripes and leaves, from layering and using a smaller brush. Overall, I think the second picture reflects more of the actual bird and the first one is more of the idea of the bird. I still need a lot of practice, but I did make progress! Thanks for the wonderful course.
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I have improved a lot. I did a pencil drawing to make a better comparison. My second drawing is much better observed, with more accurate detail in the branch and the bird. Proportions and negative space are better. I have learned how to see the details and the shapes. I am really thrilled with the result. I’m a lot more confident and enjoying taking the time with my journaling. I expect I’ll improve further.
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I feel like I have definitely come a long way since the first lesson. Adding color was a challenge because I am still learning what to do with watercolor. I was much happier with the wings before I added the watercolors, but I am pleased with some of the techniques I picked up. I do like some of the things happening with the color in the branch even though I did not match the colors from the image.
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Well the the new effort was a bit disappointing. I think I rushed things a bit. I have to remember to be sure it's DRY! The wash didn't come out well because the paper was not wet enough at the top, but came out better at the bottom--lesson learned. I practiced using a dryer brush, still an effort to get that right. With the exception of the rust feathers, the colors came out ok. I find working under yellowy incandescent lights to be difficult on a dreary grey day. Loved this class and really want to get out in the field and practice, practice, practice!
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I think I made a lot of use of proportion and negative space in the second drawing. I would never have attempted watercolour before doing this course. I would like to work on capturing the little details with watercolour.
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I was so excited to look at both drawings. The recent one was more refined. The drawing techniques were fun to put into practice. I focused on negative spaces which helped to get a better drawing. I felt good about the proportions. Need to work on edges and make the bird 3D by applying layers of colors to show form and detail. I'm pleased with both drawings because it was my first time to draw and paint birds in a journal! Thank you for all the tips and tutorial that made this possible. Below are my two drawings of the Yellow Warbler.
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I truly believe I applied most, if not all, the drawing techniques that I've learned in this class!I especially was aware of proportion and negative space with this drawing. I feel very good about how far I've come in the last 10 weeks since I have never attempted to draw artistically previously-"no talent" is no excuse when you have some techniques to practice. I want to work on developing my own style, to be effectively give the impression of the image that I want to preserve without getting bogged down in the detail, shading and dimensionality are goals, as well as being more subtle with my paint colors and values.
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I tried to better use proportion in the second drawing, although I still have to work on values. Watercolor is still a technique I'm working. Less forgiving than the pencil and eraser!
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This course has been absolutely wonderful and I will definitely go through it again! I love the relaxed way that Liz teaches, and all of the wonderful techniques that she demonstrates. Thank you!
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I have enjoyed this class, Liz' instruction and the lessons in general. I feel I am growing in confidence in terms of my sketching; I am still not confident with the use of watercolors and the brush we were encouraged to use. I ended up using a #1 & #2 in this painting - but I have found the watercolor brush with the water reservoir is especially convenient out in the field. In this attempt I practiced wet on dry and wet on wet for the background. I think this composition would have been stronger without the background, but I wanted to give it a try. I have appreciated seeing the beautiful results of others. I feel as if I have learned from you all. Thank you, Liz!
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I couldn’t find my first drawing but here is my second, the fourth water color I have tried. Still figuring things out, like how to get the black feathers in the wings. It was fun to do, and thank you for teaching me!
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I like using the watercolors and I try most of the techniques. I know I still need to work on proportion, especially when drawing animals. Birds are really complex and the proportions and sets of wings are perplexing but I know I can get better with practice. I like to do the birds eyes. Here are my before and after images of the warbler , I definitely think I showed improvement.
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I appreciate both your drawings and like your shading on the bird from the yellow to an olive green transition which I had trouble with. I like the detail in the branches regarding the moss.
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Sorry, I can't find my first drawing. I'm sure, though, that I just drew the bird and branch the way I saw them. Since I am already a trained artist, there wasn't too much of a difference between the two drawings in terms of realism. I unfortunately haven't done much art at all in the last 10 years. I still can draw realistically, but I am less apt to experiment because I feel very out of practice. So, the difference in my case is that, after taking this class and starting to draw/paint again, I loosened up and started to feel more experimental again. With the warbler photo, I had fun changing the design of the branch and foliage. I liked the way the photo was more horizontal than a standard shape and decided to make my drawing in an even more elongated format - a little like an oriental drawing.
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Finally had time to pull the images together. I definitely made some progress in skills, judging shape and size, and I'm less frustrated with watercolors now than I was earlier in the course. I like the vibrant colors that I can add with watercolors. Outlining is really rough, and wet on wet seems to be only useful for backgrounds or larger areas where you don't need definition. Or maybe as a first layer then details on top. Still have a lot to learn! Drawing 1 with pencils:
Drawing 2 with watercolors (not really finished but I'm letting go of it and starting on a third with lessons learned):
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Top photo is second sketch. The other one my first sketch. I think I’ve improved at least paying more attention to details and sketching what I see not what I think I see. This has been a great class as I’ve learned a lot. Now when the weather warms up and spring comes I can do field sketching. I’ve had to do all mine indoors.
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I feel better about the earlier sketch, honestly. I still need to work on shading and all of the watercolor techniques, but overall, I am very happy with the confidence I have gained through this course to jump in and begin, without worrying so much about a final outcome, and enjoy the process and the present moments within the process.
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I was able to apply a combination of the drawing techniques and what I think I've improved the most is the proportions. I still need to work on everything but figuring out the 3 dimensional stuff, shading and value etc. is something I think is the most difficult for me.... and the watercolours. I still haven't figured out the watercolours yet so I snapped a picture of the pencil drawing before I started painting. Painting is fun though but I need to work on that a lot more and also know when to stop. I think I need to work on everything still, including patience.
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I had a hard time with the streaks. Guess I needed to blend the color a little more subtly and of course be more patient and wait for things to dry better, maybe dry and dry technique for that?
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I probably am better sticking to pencil and eraser vs overworked watercolors but colors are fun. I tried to better measure proportions (except the big eye) and use short/lighter pencil marks.
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I feel I was able to apply the techniques of using sketchy lines, creating texture and depth, learning to imply and drawing what I see. I feel so much more confident now. I would never have believed I could do this! I want to work on accuracy, variety and speed from here.
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Honestly I feel better about the leaves/branches than I do the bird. But it is really great to see how much more accurate my negative spaces are. Still figuring out color and feel like I have a long, long way to go. I also need to work on patience for glazing - I always jump the gun! The belly color was an epic fail but it is what it is. I'm surprised how much I've enjoyed watercolor. I was so intimidated by it and so frustrated initially. Definitely going to continue.
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I feel like I have learned so much in this course! Especially how to use my brush and paints ;)
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Still learning :-)
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Sketching, or even using a previously done sketch, before painting would have been a good idea. Accuracy seems important when birds are the subject matter based on reactions i've seen from more serious birders. At any rate, the exercise was a good warm up after a necessary hiatus. Glad to be back to enjoy the process.
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I love to learn to mix and apply watercolors
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I definitely see a difference in my work since the first assignment. I worked on proportionality and using negative space to get the right angles... though I can still see I'm off a bit when I look at the reference photo. I created a color palette and used glazing to add value to the piece. I want to keep practicing these techniques... I feel like I am just beginning to develop my skills, and I'm really enjoying this focus!
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WOW!
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Wow, you really got the feathers to look so real!
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I can really see a difference in my first assignment to the second of the Yellow Warbler. It had been a very long time since I had sketched anything and I remember how long it took me to complete this first one. I am much looser and in my approach now and like to see if I can complete a whole composition. I can actually see the markings and understand the placement on the anatomy of the bird. I used wet on wet for the back ground but had issues with the paper drying to quickly, so I glazed over to adjust the result. I think I really appreciate reviewing the techniques, I have my sketch book with me most of the time, and I plan outings to practice. I have a number of ideas for using the Nature Journal to record some of the birding I did this year. This class has motivated me to fill my time, use my energy, and effort to focus on the world of birds while learning to adjust to retirement during a pandemic. Thanks much! Pat
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First drawing and then the last drawing/painting. More detail in second. Trying to get the right effect, I wore the paper out some. I guess I was impatient and did not wait until paper completely dried. A lesson learned.
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my warbler in Nov 2020, looks more refined to me than my simpler Nov 2019 warbler. Makes me feel I’ve learned a lot. I used short sketch strokes, negative space, chiaroscuro, eye light reflection. Well! 2020 was good for something!!
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My apologies for not presenting these photos correctly. It seems the best I can do right now.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this class. Thank you.
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I can't find the before picture..! I did it before I got my Canson sketchbook and seemed to have misplaced it. However it wasn't as good as this one. I am super proud of the result. Techniques used: pencil first, taking my time, erasing some lines prior to adding colors. Watercolor experience: better feeling of the pigment/water ratio, layering, layering and layering more to add value & depth. Beak and eye done at the end. Letting the layers dry. Using wet on wet (to my biggest surprise!), using a dry brush to clean certain elements. Feeling so good about this result.
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I did the new version of the drawing before I went back and looked at the original drawing. My recollection was that my first drawing was actually pretty good. However, when I went back and looked at the new drawing I couldn't believe how much I progressed. First, this was only the second time I had used watercolor and was amazed how well the colors could be controlled in spaces requiring detail. Still have miles to go but i could feel it when I was painted. Everything was proportionally better in the current drawing, angles were more accurate etc. Just much happier this time around.
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It was fun to see how I progressed. The spatial relationship/negative space of the various parts was something I really found valuable. Layering water colors also worked well here. I did not put in a background but will try that another time. Still have to work on getting fine lines with the water brush.
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The two drawings, of course, differ. The first one in pen was done fairly quickly. It’s kind of cute but rather cartoonish. The second color one took longer. The new techniques which I worked on were keeping in mind negative space and adding color. I must keep working on proportion and learning how to use watercolor. Besides proportions, I also struggled with his wings. I think they were challenging. I most pleased with his head. I got some shading on it, and I like his eye.
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I tried to write with my comparison pics but could not make it work. I just wanted to say that I loved this class. I have learned so much. I don't feel that the yellow warbler shows it but my sketching really has improved. I struggled with this one for some reason. I still am frustrated with the water color but will keep on working on it. All the techniques given us has really helped with the sketching. Thanks so much for offering this class. I plan on taking a couple more form this sight. Below are my comparison warblers.
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I am very pleased with my learning process, the first bird (Oct. 2019) looks simple but the second bird (Oct. 2020) has more details, more finished. I learned drawing skills, how to use white when painting with watercolors and many other watercolor techniques. Thank you so much!
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Pretty bird
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This was a fun challenge, overall I am pleased with my progress although the wings were difficult. I had found the autumn leaf in the yard and it was so lovely I worked on it while I waited for parts of the warbler to dry :)
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Well, I am amazed that the painted version came out as well as it did! I really liked my second drawing and was hesitant to ruin it, as I had on two prior attempts when I tried to do the green background with a wash. I am in awe of those who accomplished that feat. In drawing I was keenly aware of negative spaces which helped me place the bird and size it better. I used several water color techniques; a preliminary wash, layering and dry brush. While I didn't post many drawings (It has been a strange and demanding year since I did my first drawing in January.) I really enjoyed the course, spending lots of times mixing colors and impressed with those who do it well. I certainly look at watercolor paintings with newfound respect. I look forward now to doing more paintings since I have gotten over my fear of the medium. Thank you everyone for your inspiring drawings and paintings. If the smoke ever clears from Oregon, I am going out to do more nature journaling.
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Wow I never thought i would get this far. being a B&W person it has been a change, Thanks
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I used gesture sketching, dry brushing, color matching and tried to look at the negative space.
I found these color combinations to be difficult as well as the beak and the eye, in both sketch and painting I dreaded those section.
I like the looseness that implies the lichen on the tree bark. Not my favorite work : /
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I have learned so much from this course in terms of drawing, painting and observing when outdoors. My use of negative space, squint tests and checking proportions have developed in my drawing. This was my first exposure to watercolours and I am becoming more confident about using different techniques and mixing colours. Initially I felt that I had to finish the picture in one setting. Once I started working on it over several days I was more able to add more detail and experiment with the brushes and colours to achieve a more detailed picture. Doing the course over several months has been a good way to watch nature changing while developing my skills to capture it.
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I love your painting. The way you applied the watercolor on the bird and branch is wonderful.
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I think I did a better job at capturing proportions in my first attempt, but my last attempt I was able to capture more detail accurately. I was able to use glazing to mute some of the dark colors. With a bit more patience, I was able to layer colors to be able to capture those details.
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I did it at last! I tried to go over my fear from watercolours by taking an online course with Ms Molly Murrah "Watercolor 101;" this explains why I'm late ^_^;
I still like my first one.. but I feel satisfied with the 100% watercolour copy. Regardless of the mistakes in the painting style, this is my very first watercolour piece :)
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Still working on proportions and posture. Painting is new for me and I am slow.
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I enjoyed repainting and used some of the techniques we learned. I need to get better at washes. I erased the pencil lines and that made a nice difference. My colors are punchier too...thanks to glazes!
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Hi All, I am really pleased about the outcome, I have noticed massive improvements in the shapes, colors and the attention to details that have been improved during this course. I would like to go backward to see some videos about other techniques. I now start to get the sense of what I am drawing and how I am drawing nature. I still dislike to draw birds, I found them very complicated to draw, but I do enjoy the process about see progress and improvements. A big difference has been in use of the watercolors and how everything has changed. I am truly pleased about the course.
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I am happy with my progress. I am able to see proportions and negative space and feeling more confident in drawing what I see. I used color pencil for my first drawing but am now getting more comfortable with watercolor: using wet on wet and wet on dry. I still want to work on everything and plan on giving this little guy another try or two in the future. Thank you for a wonderful and encouraging course!
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I have had so much fun in this course I’m sorry it’s come to an end. I’m going to try my best to continue exploring nature and recording my discoveries in my journal.
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I was more confident to apply watercolors to my drawing this time. I used all the various techniques in applying the colors. I also noticed that my use of perspective (measuring) in the various sizes of the branches and leaves, along with the bird is better in relation to each other & helps make the drawing realistic and 3-D. I do know that I want to continue to work on the finer details of applying color to my drawings. I need to add a finer detail brush to my supplies.
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I'm happy with the progress in my "before and after"! The proportions are much better, and I had fun playing with the watercolor. I'd like to get more practice at the different watercolor techniques to really capture differences in texture. Also looking forward to having enough practice that I can draw things more accurately the first one or two attempts, instead of destroying the tooth of my paper by erasing and redrawing so many times (the beak gave me so much trouble, heh).
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This course has been fantastic. My second Warbler is definitely better although a bit hump backed, but I'm very happy with what I have learned. Proportions and drawing what I see are still two issues for me but I have made great progress and I will go back to start anew with the course.
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Look at those fluffy feathers! Love it!
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This one is much improved. I can really tell that it's more informed--details, shadows, subtleties of color. Still looks as wooden as the original, but hey, practice practice practice.
This morning I woke up to the song of a yellow warbler in the bush outside my window. Coincidence?
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I spent more time in the 1st one to get as much detail as possible. This was my 1st time using watercolors and its definitely harder than what I thought. I learned so much in this amazing course and I definitely need to continue practicing and developing patience with the watercolor. The talented people posting their work here is very inspiring !
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It looks like two different people made it. It's almost unbelievable - indeed it would be if I wasn't myself the person behind both the drawings - that I managed to do it in just two months. Liz wasn't kidding when she said she had taught students that knew nothing of drawing. I'm truly impressed with her work. And even knowing I still need to get better at wet-on-wet, proportions, and negative space, I'm proud of mine!
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Sorry, but I didn't want to tear out the original yellow warbler page from my journal so here is the recent one. I'm feeling much stronger about being able to draw the form and proportion of the bird, and I'm beginning to get the hang of the arrangement of feathers. My watercolor techniques need lots of practice!
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Comparison between my two sketches (I chose not to use color for the second one either): - both heads still need a bit of work - my shading and line usage is SO MUCH BETTER - everything is far more proportional in general, looks more realistic - drawing with more confidence My drawing has improved so much. I've always loved art and nature, but haven't ever had anyone really break down all the art skills and strategies. I'm hoping to take some more photos of landscapes and paint those too. Really enjoyed this class and can clearly see the progress. These sketches are EXACTLY two months apart.
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I held off on this exercise, partly because I didn’t want to mess up and partly because I didn’t want the course to end. I am feeling fairly comfortable with drawing, but need a lot of practice with painting. I am having trouble getting the 3D effects with watercolors. Also, I find handling the brush and paint to do finer lines is very tough for me. Need practice on getting a good background in as well. Practice, practice, practice! But this has been lots of fun and I hope to continue.
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My chat turned out much better than the warbler. The body shape and position is better and the coloring. I will try to get better at drawing the warbler, but at least I know I can do one fairly accurately.
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There was a long gap of time from when I started the class in October and am wrapping it up in mid May. I wish I had been able to stick with it in a more concentrated way in order to really work on improving, but I've enjoyed the techniques taught and plan to continue to work on improvement. I enjoy the Koi watercolor kit a lot, which is much easier than dragging out my tubes of color and large palette. I really need to work on showing a tilt of the head towards the viewer rather than everything looking like it is in profile!
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I had not drawn any nature in 50 years, however I did draw insects at the California Academy of the Sciences in the mid sixties. This was all brand new to me. My hardest issue is the landscapes. They all come out looking very impressionistic. You will note a big difference in my warblers. The first one I only had colored pencils, so I had to order the watercolors. The last one took me a while to complete waiting for paint to dry.
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The one on top was take 2. I think I will re-sketch it and attempt to apply watercolor, but I'm struggling with progress and need to learn more techniques.
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- Pleased with gains, really pleased. Feel good about proportions, layering, details, and ability to provide context/setting. Still not able to capture gesture of head partly turned toward observer. First sketch was 53 days ago (preCovid shelter-in-place), and I’ve had lots of time every day to work on exercises. Thanks for the good instructions.
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The painting is gorgeous! Very nice.
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Before
After
I can definitely see improvement!! I'm so happy!😁
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lovely!!
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I tried to put color to my drawing
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I tried to use most of my new learned techniques. Loved layering of colors, I spent a lot more time on the sketch itself, focusing on shapes, negative space, measuring to get proportions. I really struggled with the beak and eye, did not feel I got it correct. But happy with the rest of the drawing, better depth, color and value to my picture.
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I think it shows progress. First drawing was a flat bird. This one is a much more rich bird. But you can say it better than I.
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My first drawing is on the left. Current one is on the right. I see improvement in use of color and some details. What this course taught me is priceless. I learned about negative space decades ago. Now I am constantly reminding myself on taking another look for the details. I really
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Certainly no LCF but I feel pretty good about my progress in the course. Three months ago I had never held a watercolor brush in my hand so anything is progress! But I am feeling better about some of the color blends I am getting and I plan to keep sketching and painting. Thanks Liz!
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So I did the first one (on the left) back in December. The one on the right I did just now. There is certainly some progress. I am going to try the watercolor next, but I do struggle with that a lot. We shall see!
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wow, big change in sketch.
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After some delay, I am working through final exercises. I tried the reflection drawing two ways and will post the watercolor example as that was a skill I had never tried before this course. I started at "how do I hold the brush; how much water makes the watercolor 'work'?", to at least trying some levels of color match and brush control. My second (unposted) repetition was to sketch the same photo using colored ink drawing over the pencil sketch. In the watercolor, I was pleased that the elements of background, tree, leaves, and bird are represented well enough to be pleasant to view. In the repeat ink-sketch, what I noticed most is that my attention to the "whole" was better than in my original sketch, where I focused only on the bird and slightly on the branch but without detail. Overall, wonderful course and experience. I hope to keep access to the course for a bit longer as I might want to review occasionally. Thank you!
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I’m very happy with my progress. My sketch on the left was done with colored pencils. The one on the right was done with a pencil drawing on 130 lb. textured watercolor paper, and watercolors which I’ll tape onto a page in my mixed media Nature Journal. I used wet on wet for the background, wet on dry for most of the bird, and dry brush on details of the bird and branches/leaves. I’m really happy with creating a 3D feel to the bird using shades and highlights.
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Here is my new yellow warbler. I used the three techniques of tint, tone, and shade to make the yellows and markings of the bird more nuanced. I used the same techniques with the branch as well. I never used white to tint before. I used to just add lots of water which sometimes washed out the color. Using white works very well. I used Payne's gray to tone and a color called ivory black to shade. I see improvements but still need to work at it. -- Trudy
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This is my second yellow warbler attempt that I used the watercolor on. I have never used the water brush before so IAm trying to get used to it . It was a medium brush. Perhaps a fine would be better for details. I used the contour lines in the drawing but when I tried the contour lines with the brush, I think my lines ran together and I wa not as pleased with the results as with the plain line drawing. More practice!!
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I have come a long way due to the instruction of this course. My first try looked cartoonish, while my second drawing looks more like a real bird. I’m trying to get proportions close and shadows too. It was a super fun class, thanks Liz!
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Really great!
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Definately did get better!
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Gah, totally impressed with your ability to capture the head partly turned. My efforts at that gesture failed, sigh.
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I think that I improved on the sketching and definitely caught the green light through the foliage in the background better. Still can improve on the overall watercolour techniques.
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I aplied the watercolor and the quick-draw. I still want to work with the watercolor.
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I tried to apply all drawing and coloring techniques. I have seen huge improvements and will continue to practice what I have learned and review course content. I have thoroughly enjoyed this course!
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This was a fantastic course. The drawing techniques, proportion measuring, and color mixing were so very helpful! Since it’s winter here and nature consisted mostly of snow and dried plant-life, I focused mostly on my drawing and watercolor skills. I'm looking forward to spring when I can get out and really observe nature. I can't wait to fill up my sketchbook with observations!
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I think the proportions were a bit off on the first sketch. It came out squashed in the vertical. Because I planned on adding watercolor to the new piece, I used a 4H pencil and kept the lines light. Still not sure if I should have gone for the best pencil drawing I could muster, then add color. For this I tried to let the color define the bird rather than the drawing. I do need a fine point paint brush, for sure, but I think it came out nice.
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In making the second drawing, I used negative space, proportions, shadow/depth, watercolor (mixing colors, glazing, dry on dry for detail and texture. I am pleased with the improvement in proportions and detail--I never even noticed the different layers and the arrangement of the feathers before. I still want to work on the detail if the bird. And, despite the improvement, it still looks very two-dimensional. But overall, I am really happy with my improvement.
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I think there's quite a bit of good change there!
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Have enjoyed the processes developed during the course. In addition. I feel as though course has vastly improved my knowledge of the various techniques, which has in turn allowed me to understand my previous drawing mistakes. I can see significant changes in both the form of the drawing and also the finished drawing. I feel a lot more confident in using colour and in mixing pen and watercolour to achieve the required effect in the drawing. But as can be seen some work still required on achieving the 3D effect especially, but other area's too.
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My before and after is right to left. It was easier to get the birds closer for the picture by laying them out backwards. I was able to apply scale/measurements. What a fantastic technique. I also applied negative space, especially between the legs.While not great, my first bird looks more cartoonish...a cute cartoon, but not proportional or close to the real thing. My second image looks more like the reference. It looks like a yellow warbler. The first one looks like a generic cartoon bird. I'm going to go back into the latest one and finish it, but thought the comparison worked now because it's a line drawing like the first one and easier to see the differences. I feel good about the sketch. I think I could go back in an increase values with confidence. I really need to work on watercolor technique. It was fun doing the washes and techniques, but when I tried to apply it to my work, I struggled with details. I
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I enjoyed this class and would like more! I am still working on getting the colors right, but feeling confident with experimenting with the different combinations. It all requires a lot of practice. Thank you Liz for your expertise and demonstrating the act of patience.
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I have really enjoyed this course. I love seeing all of the other paintings from the group! I admit feeling a little timid about the watercolor process but it boils down to practice for sure!
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I don't know if I have improved, but I have really enjoyed this class!
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Day one at the top, today at the bottom, still working on getting the colors right, but more comfortable with composition and form.
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Past on the left, current try on the right. Learning to look at negative shapes and how different parts relate to each other was very helpful in laying down the draft sketch. I've been avoiding watercolor for 20+ years, and finally through learning techniques taught by Liz I am really enjoying it. Waiting for the paint to dry between layering and faintly erasing pencil lines before coloring were two techniques that really helped me move forward. Still need practice on proportion & color mixing.
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I’m pleased with my progress and bringing it all together. Still need to work on my watercolor technique!
I can see the improvement in everyone’s work.
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I like using wet-on-wet to give an effect. Watercolor has a "mind" of its own. At times, I use a wrong color that I intended to use and then will need to readjust my strategy. With more practice I will be able to determine how the color flows. I even have to compensate for color blindness, which can make interesting results. After doing the sketch, I attempted to create the 3-D effect with yellow by using the layering process.
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using the skills we learned for measuring proportions and working with negative space definitely improved my work overall. i tried much harder to make sure i was seeing the shape, and not just the object. i'm very happy with the results!
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I have enjoyed this course very much. I definitely see improvement in my drawing. I need more patience with painting. Just let it dry! Thank you Liz.
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I am very pleased with the improvement. It has been years since I worked in watercolors and I love getting back to using watercolors. I have really focused on enjoying the process and not so much the product. I is a wonderful combination of my love fore nature and art.
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The drawing on the left is a much truer representation of the yellow warbler. Instead of pencils I used water color. Though I am just learning about them, I find them exciting to use. Though I have a long way to go, I am very encouraged by what Liz has taught me. This class has been a joy and a revelation. Thank you, Liz, and Cornell.
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Techniques learned in this course, and used in creating the Yellow Warbler painting: wet on dry, wet on wet, tinting with opposite color (i.e. to create shaded areas on the yellow a little bit of purple mixed in really worked!), proportions and recognizing the negative spaces, using hatch lines to create texture and dimension. I must be leaving something out... :)
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The paint brush and I are becoming friends, thanks to the fun exercises in this course! There seems to be an early 'ugly duckling' phase (excuse the phrase), before each effort transitions into something satisfying. One challenge is knowing when to stop :)
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OMG. I would take your class. Stunning. I need some extension activity on using watercolor. I find it unruly!
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I really enjoyed this class and learned so much! Negative space, gesture drawing, proportions, tone and shade - all make such a difference. Color mixing and seeing tone and shade are areas where I'll keep working. My little yellow warbler improved quite a bit! Thank you Liz!
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wow...
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I took art classes in both high school and college. However, I have learned so much more from this course. Liz Clayton Fuller is an amazing teacher. She thoroughly gave us in-depth instructions for drawing and watercolor skills and techniques. I especially benefited from from the lessons on adding color to my sketches. I think my biggest difficulty is being patient, and waiting for my watercolors to dry before moving to the next step. I enjoyed all the lessons, and looked forward to working on the class assignments. I hope to continue using all that I learned on future art projects.
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This is so pretty! I love the details on the warbler as well as the branch and leaves. I agree with you about waiting for watercolors to dry in between layers. I have learned so much from this course and have really enjoyed the process.
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I liked a lot this exercise because I could practice the techniques to add color. Wet on wet, wet on dry, dry brush, wash, I liked the proportion of the bird, and I think I need to practice more about value. Here is the before and after:
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Here's a little Indian Palm squirrel I just painted from a photo... Going to practice daily!
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This class made all the difference! Yellow Fellow looks dimensional.
I got here by learning about the use of short, sketchy lines to rough out a shape, and using, in this example, the bird's head to estimate the size of the body. I learned to draw and paint what I see, and not what I know, or assume...
The watercolor instruction has been particularly helpful. I always wanted to learn to use watercolors, and I finally understand the techniques I need: glazing, blending, dry bush, wet on dry... layering... and going over things with a wet brush to blend areas I've already painted.
Still need to paint Yellow Fellow's branch and the leaves, am chickening out on the background, but did learn about applying a wash of color... Really happy with the results!
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I used watercolor pencils to color the bird. I would like to go over it lightly with water to blend the colors more but I am worried I will ruin what I have done so far. I feel as though I have inproved on my sketching skills. This has been so much fun!
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Beautiful sketch, Julia! I've always wanted to try watercolor pencils... have a set here at home, but am nervous about adding water to spoil what I've done! I totally understand! But I might try this exercise again with the pencils to see what happens...
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Beautiful color work, Jeyda! And you really captured the textures of his feathers!
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I am new to birding and live very close to Point Peele, Ontario. I have a wonderful opportunity to view nature and birds and now I am excited and really looking forward to this course.
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I am really excited about this course and look forward to learning new skills. I always enjoy seeing what corners of the world other students come from and look forward to seeing what nature has to offer to people elsewhere. I live on Vancouver Island off the west coast of Canada.
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can I get the art supplies from you(bird academy)?
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Hello Jude, Bird Academy doesn't sell any art supplies. You should be able to pick the supplies up at a local art store or the chains that sell Arts and Craft supplies. We don't want to officially recommend any certain stores but I'm sure if you post this question on of the the early lesson topics your fellow nature journalists can tell you where they picked up their supplies.
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@Lee Ann van Leer I got everything at Michael's - both in Naples, FL and here in South Bend, IN.
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@Lee Ann van Leer https://www.dickblick.com/
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I was able to get every item at Michael's - both in Naples, FL and here in South Bend, IN. Have fun!
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The pencil drawing is my "before" drawing. Initially I wasn't happy with my "after" drawing, but looking at the drawings side-by-side made me see how much better the proportions and accuracy are in the "after" drawing--I'm clearly letting my brain "fill in the gaps" less. I am still getting used to watercolor layering and color mixing. The tiny black details on the warbler were tough, and the electric yellow was a hard color to replicate. Things to work on! 
I am pleased with the improvements from the sketch to the watercolor. My sense of proportion is much better! Adding color makes a world of difference. I tried stippling and utilizing negative space which were helpful. I could be more patient in mixing colors and applying layers. I definitely need more practice with the wash technique and chiaroscuro. Overall, a successful journey! 
I’ve been taking this class off and on for a year now! Life happens! The lower image is my first sketch and for the recent one I tried to get more life and personality into this little bird. I have had a lot of fun but I think I will always be more of a wander around, take pictures then draw at my desk kind of a person. I am trying to make more notes when I’m out so I can remember more of the feel of the place. 
The bottom is before and the top is after ☺️ 
This was drawing at start of course.
Back to the course with the drawing at then end. Then decide to paint it... second try at painting it...
Wow, I learned a lot about sketching and watercolor. I have so many things to practice and have appreciated the opportunity in taking this course! Not sure I captured all I should have within the painting, but it certainly will bring positive memories. I keep talking about sketching and now I need to get at it! Thanks Liz!
much more convenience in using watercolors. I still need to work on blending colors and knowing how much water to use on my brush.
New techniques I was able to apply were Gesture Sketching, and Proportions. I feel better about the proportions because I always feel like something is off, but something I would still like to improve would be drawing/painting bird feet and realism. 
I started this course in fall 2019. I kept meaning to get back to it after the holidays, but then, well, life got interesting for all of us. Finally I finished the second picture! I was able to be more detailed and more adventurous the second time around, and more accurate with the colors. I used a glaze for the background and established a palette, with notes, that I was able to recreate over two years later. I still had trouble with smudging the eye! I am also working on getting the right amount of pigment and water on the brush, and steady brushstrokes. I’m a much more confident artist now when I actually paint! 
I feel like I got the overall proportions better by using my pencil to measure. I also got the proportions within the bird more accurate this way. Really like the eye placement and size much better in my second painting.
I am feeling good about my water color techniques and want to continue working with them. My new journal that I just started has heavier real watercolor paper in it so I can use my paints a lot more. 
My before sketch was completed in my notebook for the class. The after sketch was completed in the MixMedia sketch pad. During the course, I switched from sketching pencils to a mechanical pencil to assist me in completing crisp, shorter strokes. I am more mindful of negative space. The after image is OK but I would like to achieve more vibrant color and utilize more color mixing to achieve the desired results.The after image was made with a chrome book camera and it does not reproduce the color or image sharpness very well. 
I had not used watercolor prior to taking this class and I have done a few landscapes as practice exercises. A few things I like about the yellow warbler w/watercolor: I didn't overwork the bird as in the original sketch - this is something I've definitely adopted to my sketching; I was much more patient with the watercolor and like some of the texture of the branches and leaves that layering different colors and tones created; I used the negative space to create a more proportional bird. Though this doesn't come through entirely in the photo, I used a water on water technique to just shade the paper green. I was really surprised at how much depth and warmth just that little color added to the overall impression. I'll work on watercolor technique forever, but isn't that the point? 
I'm surprised at the skills gained after a year in the course. How delightful to grow in this journey will everyone and I truly look forward to seeing one year from now how my skills have developed. 
I am pleased how my lessons improved this Yellow Warbler, Watercolor is my medium of choice, sometimes waiting for the paint to dry is my challenge. Therefore, taking my time, waiting until the paint dries, don't be in a hurry. I must say this little bird on July 7th took almost two hours to complete.
This class has taught me many new things. I have loved nature all my live, loved to hike and backpack and put in the miles. Now - I enjoy sitting in the forest, listen to the birds, forage for edibles, take photos and attempt to paint. I have often taken my sketchbook along, usually I take a photo and draw at home. My question is - when will I sit down and actually do a plein air....? hoping to find a group to paint outside. 
It took me a year and one day to get this course completed. I think my final bird looks kind of worried, but overall has better proportions than the portly one I first drew. I used the idea of looking at negative space to get the body to be more accurate. From taking the course, I also learned to do the background all at once to start, instead of afterward and I had a lot less color bleeding that way. When I did my first painting, I didn't know about letting the layers dry and everything kind of bled together. In the second attempt, I was able to get more details on the stomach stripes and leaves, from layering and using a smaller brush. Overall, I think the second picture reflects more of the actual bird and the first one is more of the idea of the bird. I still need a lot of practice, but I did make progress! Thanks for the wonderful course. 
I especially was aware of proportion and negative space with this drawing. I feel very good about how far I've come in the last 10 weeks since I have never attempted to draw artistically previously-"no talent" is no excuse when you have some techniques to practice. I want to work on developing my own style, to be effectively give the impression of the image that I want to preserve without getting bogged down in the detail, shading and dimensionality are goals, as well as being more subtle with my paint colors and values. 
Sorry, I can't find my first drawing. I'm sure, though, that I just drew the bird and branch the way I saw them. Since I am already a trained artist, there wasn't too much of a difference between the two drawings in terms of realism. I unfortunately haven't done much art at all in the last 10 years. I still can draw realistically, but I am less apt to experiment because I feel very out of practice. So, the difference in my case is that, after taking this class and starting to draw/paint again, I loosened up and started to feel more experimental again. With the warbler photo, I had fun changing the design of the branch and foliage. I liked the way the photo was more horizontal than a standard shape and decided to make my drawing in an even more elongated format - a little like an oriental drawing. 
Drawing 2 with watercolors (not really finished but I'm letting go of it and starting on a third with lessons learned):
I feel better about the earlier sketch, honestly. I still need to work on shading and all of the watercolor techniques, but overall, I am very happy with the confidence I have gained through this course to jump in and begin, without worrying so much about a final outcome, and enjoy the process and the present moments within the process.
Honestly I feel better about the leaves/branches than I do the bird. But it is really great to see how much more accurate my negative spaces are. Still figuring out color and feel like I have a long, long way to go. I also need to work on patience for glazing - I always jump the gun! The belly color was an epic fail but it is what it is. I'm surprised how much I've enjoyed watercolor. I was so intimidated by it and so frustrated initially. Definitely going to continue. 
I love to learn to mix and apply watercolors 
I definitely see a difference in my work since the first assignment. I worked on proportionality and using negative space to get the right angles... though I can still see I'm off a bit when I look at the reference photo. I created a color palette and used glazing to add value to the piece. I want to keep practicing these techniques... I feel like I am just beginning to develop my skills, and I'm really enjoying this focus! 
First drawing and then the last drawing/painting. More detail in second. Trying to get the right effect, I wore the paper out some. I guess I was impatient and did not wait until paper completely dried. A lesson learned. 
My apologies for not presenting these photos correctly. It seems the best I can do right now.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this class. Thank you.
I can't find the before picture..! I did it before I got my Canson sketchbook and seemed to have misplaced it. However it wasn't as good as this one. I am super proud of the result. Techniques used: pencil first, taking my time, erasing some lines prior to adding colors. Watercolor experience: better feeling of the pigment/water ratio, layering, layering and layering more to add value & depth. Beak and eye done at the end. Letting the layers dry. Using wet on wet (to my biggest surprise!), using a dry brush to clean certain elements. Feeling so good about this result. 
The two drawings, of course, differ. The first one in pen was done fairly quickly. It’s kind of cute but rather cartoonish. The second color one took longer. The new techniques which I worked on were keeping in mind negative space and adding color. I must keep working on proportion and learning how to use watercolor. Besides proportions, I also struggled with his wings. I think they were challenging. I most pleased with his head. I got some shading on it, and I like his eye. 
I am very pleased with my learning process, the first bird (Oct. 2019) looks simple but the second bird (Oct. 2020) has more details, more finished. I learned drawing skills, how to use white when painting with watercolors and many other watercolor techniques. Thank you so much! 
I used gesture sketching, dry brushing, color matching and tried to look at the negative space.
I found these color combinations to be difficult as well as the beak and the eye, in both sketch and painting I dreaded those section.
I like the looseness that implies the lichen on the tree bark. Not my favorite work : / 
I have learned so much from this course in terms of drawing, painting and observing when outdoors. My use of negative space, squint tests and checking proportions have developed in my drawing. This was my first exposure to watercolours and I am becoming more confident about using different techniques and mixing colours. Initially I felt that I had to finish the picture in one setting. Once I started working on it over several days I was more able to add more detail and experiment with the brushes and colours to achieve a more detailed picture. Doing the course over several months has been a good way to watch nature changing while developing my skills to capture it. 
I think I did a better job at capturing proportions in my first attempt, but my last attempt I was able to capture more detail accurately. I was able to use glazing to mute some of the dark colors. With a bit more patience, I was able to layer colors to be able to capture those details. 
I did it at last! I tried to go over my fear from watercolours by taking an online course with Ms Molly Murrah "Watercolor 101;" this explains why I'm late ^_^;
I still like my first one.. but I feel satisfied with the 100% watercolour copy. Regardless of the mistakes in the painting style, this is my very first watercolour piece :)
I enjoyed repainting and used some of the techniques we learned. I need to get better at washes. I erased the pencil lines and that made a nice difference. My colors are punchier too...thanks to glazes! 
I am happy with my progress. I am able to see proportions and negative space and feeling more confident in drawing what I see. I used color pencil for my first drawing but am now getting more comfortable with watercolor: using wet on wet and wet on dry. I still want to work on everything and plan on giving this little guy another try or two in the future. Thank you for a wonderful and encouraging course! 
I have had so much fun in this course I’m sorry it’s come to an end. I’m going to try my best to continue exploring nature and recording my discoveries in my journal. 
I was more confident to apply watercolors to my drawing this time. I used all the various techniques in applying the colors. I also noticed that my use of perspective (measuring) in the various sizes of the branches and leaves, along with the bird is better in relation to each other & helps make the drawing realistic and 3-D. I do know that I want to continue to work on the finer details of applying color to my drawings. I need to add a finer detail brush to my supplies. 
I'm happy with the progress in my "before and after"! The proportions are much better, and I had fun playing with the watercolor. I'd like to get more practice at the different watercolor techniques to really capture differences in texture. Also looking forward to having enough practice that I can draw things more accurately the first one or two attempts, instead of destroying the tooth of my paper by erasing and redrawing so many times (the beak gave me so much trouble, heh). 
This one is much improved. I can really tell that it's more informed--details, shadows, subtleties of color. Still looks as wooden as the original, but hey, practice practice practice.
This morning I woke up to the song of a yellow warbler in the bush outside my window. Coincidence? 
I spent more time in the 1st one to get as much detail as possible. This was my 1st time using watercolors and its definitely harder than what I thought. I learned so much in this amazing course and I definitely need to continue practicing and developing patience with the watercolor. The talented people posting their work here is very inspiring ! 
My chat turned out much better than the warbler. The body shape and position is better and the coloring. I will try to get better at drawing the warbler, but at least I know I can do one fairly accurately. 
There was a long gap of time from when I started the class in October and am wrapping it up in mid May. I wish I had been able to stick with it in a more concentrated way in order to really work on improving, but I've enjoyed the techniques taught and plan to continue to work on improvement. I enjoy the Koi watercolor kit a lot, which is much easier than dragging out my tubes of color and large palette. I really need to work on showing a tilt of the head towards the viewer rather than everything looking like it is in profile! 
The one on top was take 2. I think I will re-sketch it and attempt to apply watercolor, but I'm struggling with progress and need to learn more techniques. 
Pleased with gains, really pleased. Feel good about proportions, layering, details, and ability to provide context/setting. Still not able to capture gesture of head partly turned toward observer. First sketch was 53 days ago (preCovid shelter-in-place), and I’ve had lots of time every day to work on exercises. Thanks for the good instructions.
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After
I can definitely see improvement!! I'm so happy!😁 
I tried to put color to my drawing 
I tried to use most of my new learned techniques. Loved layering of colors, I spent a lot more time on the sketch itself, focusing on shapes, negative space, measuring to get proportions. I really struggled with the beak and eye, did not feel I got it correct. But happy with the rest of the drawing, better depth, color and value to my picture. 
Certainly no LCF but I feel pretty good about my progress in the course. Three months ago I had never held a watercolor brush in my hand so anything is progress! But I am feeling better about some of the color blends I am getting and I plan to keep sketching and painting. Thanks Liz! 
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So I did the first one (on the left) back in December. The one on the right I did just now. There is certainly some progress. I am going to try the watercolor next, but I do struggle with that a lot. We shall see! 
I’m very happy with my progress. My sketch on the left was done with colored pencils. The one on the right was done with a pencil drawing on 130 lb. textured watercolor paper, and watercolors which I’ll tape onto a page in my mixed media Nature Journal. I used wet on wet for the background, wet on dry for most of the bird, and dry brush on details of the bird and branches/leaves. I’m really happy with creating a 3D feel to the bird using shades and highlights. 
I have come a long way due to the instruction of this course. My first try looked cartoonish, while my second drawing looks more like a real bird. I’m trying to get proportions close and shadows too. It was a super fun class, thanks Liz! 
I think that I improved on the sketching and definitely caught the green light through the foliage in the background better. Still can improve on the overall watercolour techniques. 
In making the second drawing, I used negative space, proportions, shadow/depth, watercolor (mixing colors, glazing, dry on dry for detail and texture. I am pleased with the improvement in proportions and detail--I never even noticed the different layers and the arrangement of the feathers before. I still want to work on the detail if the bird. And, despite the improvement, it still looks very two-dimensional. But overall, I am really happy with my improvement. 
I enjoyed this class and would like more! I am still working on getting the colors right, but feeling confident with experimenting with the different combinations. It all requires a lot of practice. Thank you Liz for your expertise and demonstrating the act of patience. 
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I have really enjoyed this course. I love seeing all of the other paintings from the group! I admit feeling a little timid about the watercolor process but it boils down to practice for sure! 
I’m pleased with my progress and bringing it all together. Still need to work on my watercolor technique!
I can see the improvement in everyone’s work. 
I like using wet-on-wet to give an effect. Watercolor has a "mind" of its own. At times, I use a wrong color that I intended to use and then will need to readjust my strategy. With more practice I will be able to determine how the color flows. I even have to compensate for color blindness, which can make interesting results. After doing the sketch, I attempted to create the 3-D effect with yellow by using the layering process. 
I am very pleased with the improvement. It has been years since I worked in watercolors and I love getting back to using watercolors. I have really focused on enjoying the process and not so much the product. I is a wonderful combination of my love fore nature and art. 
The drawing on the left is a much truer representation of the yellow warbler. Instead of pencils I used water color. Though I am just learning about them, I find them exciting to use. Though I have a long way to go, I am very encouraged by what Liz has taught me. This class has been a joy and a revelation. Thank you, Liz, and Cornell. 
. One challenge is knowing when to stop :) 
I took art classes in both high school and college. However, I have learned so much more from this course. Liz Clayton Fuller is an amazing teacher. She thoroughly gave us in-depth instructions for drawing and watercolor skills and techniques. I especially benefited from from the lessons on adding color to my sketches. I think my biggest difficulty is being patient, and waiting for my watercolors to dry before moving to the next step. I enjoyed all the lessons, and looked forward to working on the class assignments. I hope to continue using all that I learned on future art projects. 
Here's a little Indian Palm squirrel I just painted from a photo... Going to practice daily! 
This class made all the difference! Yellow Fellow looks dimensional.
I got here by learning about the use of short, sketchy lines to rough out a shape, and using, in this example, the bird's head to estimate the size of the body. I learned to draw and paint what I see, and not what I know, or assume...
The watercolor instruction has been particularly helpful. I always wanted to learn to use watercolors, and I finally understand the techniques I need: glazing, blending, dry bush, wet on dry... layering... and going over things with a wet brush to blend areas I've already painted.
Still need to paint Yellow Fellow's branch and the leaves, am chickening out on the background, but did learn about applying a wash of color... Really happy with the results! 
I used watercolor pencils to color the bird. I would like to go over it lightly with water to blend the colors more but I am worried I will ruin what I have done so far. I feel as though I have inproved on my sketching skills. This has been so much fun! 