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.

     

Before 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.

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.

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

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!

-   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!

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!

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.

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

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!!  

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.

I aplied the watercolor and the quick-draw. I still want to work with the watercolor.

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!