The Cornell Lab Bird Academy › Discussion Groups › Nature Journaling and Field Sketching › See How Far You’ve Come
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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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