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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. -
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.
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. Read More: