Jacqueline

The activity drawing upside down was both difficult and fun. It most definitely required slow short strokes and frequent looking at the picture as I attempted the assignment. It was a lot to incorporate proportion and negative space while drawing some of the more complicated and intricate parts of the bird and stock.It did take some time and erasing as I went along.

I found most helpful to sketch in snap shot like style, meaning that I sketch a body part, for instance like the leg, or head, or body. Since the bird I was sketching was moving rather quickly, it was easier to just get a little sections of the bird and then try to get the whole body.This way I was able to notice more detail in the quick sketch of the legs and how they were joined the position of the head, and the long beak attachment to the head. I definitely have a ways to go but it’s a good beginning.

This comparison lesson was helpful in focusing and noticing details.  I compared two different pepper plants.  The obvious differences were how they grew (one up, one down), size (one very small, one much larger).  Some similarities were leaves (both smooth), shape (both elongated oval; however different sizes).  Some less obvious details were the flower on the red pepper plant. At first I didn’t even see the tiny flower as it was covered by a leaf.  With a closer look at the flower, I noticed one taller white carpel in the center surrounded by 5 green stamen. Also how the leaves, although same shape, attached differently to the plant.

My sit spot was from my back deck looking out to yard and woods behind.  Liz was so right sitting and being quiet in my space opened senses. Even though it has stormed and continued to rain for days, I wondered if perhaps I should pick another day. The rain probably made the time of observation a little more focused.  At first no birds heard or seen but noises in the environment were more easily picked up… and even noticed the quietness.  So I observed some cone flowers and hydrangeas that are fading from the early summer glory. After about 30 minutes I heard some birds and “ Merlin “ helped me identify red bellied woodpecker and the a blue jay.    And then as I was looking for the woodpecker, some movement mid way up a vey tall pine (30 ft or more) caught my eye.  I grabbed my binoculars and there sitting in a pine branch was a barred owl 🦉 AMAZING!  A mockingbird looked like it was harassing the owl and the owl took flight. It kept low, and swooped into the woods. So cool to see — and I would have missed it if I hadn’t been doing “sit/observe”.

I became interested a few months ago after putting up a couple of birdfeeders in the backyard and then trying to identify the birds as they came to feed. I have been an instructor for marine education on a barrier island for school groups, so I am very familiar with our coastal birds here in North Carolina. But backyard birds (inland birds too) not so much. so after observing birds more carefully for colors and shapes and habits for ID ( using eBird and Merlin)I started to really pay attention to what was round.  While out on hikes and runs through local parks and trails, I would come along some flower or bird and stop to take a picture and try to ID it, if I didn’t know it. Or just take a picture of it because I wanted a record of it.  I saw a short video of you talking about nature journaling and just thought it would a good next step.  I guess you can say, I am inspired by nature and Liz. Oh, and Robert Johnson.  He has an exhibit of his work in gauache & colored pencils of North Carolina natural habitats at our local art museum. His notebook with field sketches and notes that are used, are displayed for each particular work.So, I am a beginner with no drawing skills, ready and eager to get started. My style is not set.  I like your and one of the first girl’s( Shanya)preference for page set up.  We’ll see.