John and Katie

I am thrilled with the knowledge this course has imparted in both drawing and painting. It has been so rewarding. I have not completed this lesson’s exercise of getting out in the field yet.  This is my practice at making a painting from start to finish, using a photo from an old copy of Birds and Blooms.

This was an enjoyable exercise.  Watercolors are new to me, so they were the most challenging part of the exercise.  Things I would not have noticed without drawing this photo are 1) the shape of the wings laying on the warbler's back, 2) the way the rusty red streaks grew softer further down on the breast, and 3) the loose grip of the warbler's feet on the branch below it.  I look forward to seeing improvement in my art as I continue this course.