Carolyn

No previous watercolor experience except during the Watercolor Basics for Birds Workshop. I really enjoy attempting to use watercolors.  For me, blending seems to be somewhat difficult when trying to get the exact same colors as on photos.  I seem to be more successful with blending when painting my drawings.  Of course, that leaves a margin for slightly different tones, tints and shades. I worked on blending  colors for the bird.  Realized how many different shades of gray in that one photo and how to work with the white, gray, and black to achieve the desired colors.  The breast required much blending.

Challenging but excellent exercise.  Not because of the upside down image, but most difficult part was inserting the shapes inside bird while considering size, shapes and area allowed.  Also had some issues with pencil following shapes over paper in journal.

Seems to be close to accurate.  However, some objects  and fields are easier to measure using this technique than other.

Found it very difficult to maintain a pace fast enough to capture even some of the duck's movements. Fun, but much more practice needed. Noticed the cyclical behavior.

Finding it easier to apply skills being taught.  Shading is most difficult.  However, if I conscientiously practice "squinting" and light/ dark observations for a few days, I am confident shading will become much easier.  Notice that in all my drawings, I have a tendency to go too dark.  Will be working on that also.

Drawing: It is a record of your visual image of the object(s) you are observing. Photos:  Real specific accuracy such as proportions, dimensions, details, colors (most of the time), etc Challenging: Proportions, and feathers Probably would not have noticed the details in the area where the wing feathers meet the tail.