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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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. 

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.

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):

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.

• 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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.