Donna

I painted this from a photo on the Birdwatchers of NH Facebook page.  Still working on balancing values but progress.  I attempted using white pencil for some feather features some show up but not all.  I had fun with this and am happy with the eye details. The bird is a White Throated Sparrow.

Nice!

Working on adding color and using references, this one still needs more layering but getting there.

Journaling with Liz has helped me to slow down and look at things rather than snap a photo and move on.  I really had a ton of fun drawing and painting acorn caps then comparing the texture of the acorn caps to other things such as the scales of pinecones and some leaf buds. My most interesting observation was of a silver alder after leaf drop when only the cone-like seed fruit was at the end of a few branches that I found.  I was able to make a good drawing of this but did have to break off the branch end to bring home to draw due to it being only 20 degrees out at the time, Dec 2nd.  In my notes, I compared this to the pine cones and the texture of the acorn caps then asked why certain similar structures are found in different species of plants. I teach middle school science and this course has helped me to develop my own personal observation skills and to use what I have learned in my own teaching.  I am also more confident in my drawing skills and continue to practice gesture drawings on just about any event, and even when watching hockey on TV. My journal says that paint will continue to challenge me, especially figuring out how to mix the right colors, but it is getting better with practice almost every day.  I plan to keep at it and look forward to spring when I can do more painting outside without freezing.

Day one at the top, today at the bottom, still working on getting the colors right, but more comfortable with composition and form.

I was going to go out today and sketch but the windy 18 degree F weather sent me back inside.  My paint would have frozen faster than it dried.  Outdoor nature journaling is a challenge in New Hampshire this time of year.

Gesture drawings from our highway travels today.  Moving vehicles similar and different.  

I am enjoying comparison studies, I have been focusing on patterns and got out my hand lens recently for closer looks.  I found that acorns have more texture to them than is obvious to the naked eye and that pine cones are really hard to draw.

Comparison study of two different maple leaves, with shadow and palette practice.  The sugar maple is not quite as dark as I expected, but the watercolors are very new for me.  Not much painting experience or even detailed drawing prior to this course.

Wow!