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.

I feel like I have learned so much in this course! Especially how to use my brush and paints ;)

Still learning :-)

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.

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!

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

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 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!!  

  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.

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.

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.