Mary

The sketch enabled me to focus on areas of contrast - the lights and darks of the feathering, especially around the face and eye where the shading is subtel. It also "forced" me to concentrate on details, the fine feathering of the warbler's chest, the fine lines in the tail feathers. I can see where sketching (which is new to me) will aid greatly when painting watercolors (also new, though I have had a few watercolor classes). The sketch allows me to define the areas of contrast before I lay down paint. The great advantage of the photograph is that the subject is still!  I have never sketched or painted in nature and I anticipate a steep learning curve for me! This was a fun task.