Suzy

Besides childhood, I have only played with watercolors twice. It didn't go well. I feel I add too much water? I feel like it was what I remember. I do like the water brush, it is my first time using that. I find that I have trouble with like my brush lines. I am not sure how to show layers and textures. I am happy to learn and happy to try out again. Can't wait to get more tips in the next lessons. I did the photos provided. I do notice I am looking at the placement of the colors more. On the bird I didn't notice all the pink at first. Great way of learning field markers. 

I was a little intimated at first. Then I zoomed in and decided to take it as chunks. That helped me forget it was a full bird. I was really happy with my end result! I took my time and used the skills from the proportion measuring and negative space lessons.

Gesture drawing feels a bit crazy to me! Its almost stressful but fun at the same time. I don't like bailing on a drawing after the subject moved but it is nice to hop back and forth if it is repeating behaviors. I think gesture drawing is helping me pick out simple shapes in body, head, tail etc. I notice I try to hone into the detail right away instead of just getting the overall picture. I also like seeing the behaviors. I usually would ID the bird and move on. This is helping me slow down and enjoy all the hopping and bouncing, and preening, and eating, and and and :).

At first I didn't think that many details was that important on my first mushroom. Then when I started the second mushrooms I started to realize the differences. Some where very obvious but I wouldn't think it record the texture of the stalk on the first one if I didn't see how textured and complex the second one was. I started to compare everything: colors, shapes, where it grew, etc. It seems like that would come naturally but this activity really did forces me to pull out those details that we may take for granted on first glance. 

It took me a while to find something to draw. I was waiting for a magical moment or a bird landing in front of my face. That didn't happen, but the longer I did find things to look at. I came to this spot to check on the spring flowers so those where my main focus. After 30min squirrels came back out, birds came a little closer.

1. I felt terrified. Where do you start! I was also worried it would not turn out well and I would lose confidence in my abilities. Reflecting afterwards – I am my own worst critic, it turned out better than I thought it would. I am still nervous to post it, but thats why we are all here right!  Overall I am excited to see what I improve on when this course is finished. The body outline seemed easy. I enjoyed the lichen patterns too. I felt the texture of the feathers where hard to capture. 2.I really tried to pay attention to what feathers where black vs yellow in the wings. I was thoughtful on my lichen, trying to distinguish the different types. I think in journaling in real life it will be hard to capture all the colors, patterns, and details of the bird. Warblers are not in one spot for very long! I will have to learn to take a good look and try to remember as much as can.