• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Andy's field sketches (1 Viewer)

Andrew Ellis

Well-known member
here's some stuff from last night out of our conservatory window.
I had to grab some paper and and drawing impliment quickly so
thats why the first is pen and ink on printer paper.


Today, been itching to get out for a while
and just havent had the chance .Today though just couldn't stand
it so escaped from the bigger studio stuff to pop down the road
on my local patch to Saltram House and the river .

Found some Shelduck and egrets in the old flooded meadow, it was windy
and the dambed scope was moving alot which did'nt help much
but I managed to get these done too.

Let me know what you think , Always looking for more tips.
and observations you just stand still otherwise.
 

Attachments

  • img-spar-pen-and-ink014-ema.jpg
    img-spar-pen-and-ink014-ema.jpg
    61.5 KB · Views: 392
  • img-Shelduck015.jpg
    img-Shelduck015.jpg
    65.3 KB · Views: 378
  • img-egret's-saltram016.jpg
    img-egret's-saltram016.jpg
    45.7 KB · Views: 330
  • img-egret's-saltram017.jpg
    img-egret's-saltram017.jpg
    27.7 KB · Views: 375
  • img-egret's-saltram018.jpg
    img-egret's-saltram018.jpg
    25 KB · Views: 316
Great start to what I am sure will be a stunning thread. Wonderful sketches, the wing flapping egrets are remarkable. Shelducks are stunning also.

Great to have you on board and really looking forward to more here!
 
These are really nice. Everything looks great. I like the shading on the egrets and shelducks.

I like that you have gotten so many positions and have done them so well.

Can't wait to see more!
 
Terrific work Andrew. You really dont need tips from anyone!

Out of interest what size pad are you using?

Woody
 
WOW... this guy has talent! I'm looking forward to seeing more. I love the use of light and shadow and how you have sketched those delicate egret plumes. Will you share more?
 
WOW... this guy has talent! I'm looking forward to seeing more. I love the use of light and shadow and how you have sketched those delicate egret plumes. Will you share more?

Much admiring looks from here too.

One of the things that strikes me is that the sketching maestros on this forum shade with straight lines and resist the temptation to bend the lines to follow the form of the bird or to cross-hatch. That seems to be one of the things that makes the drawings so strong and clean. Just musing aloud- it's given me something to think about as well as to admire.
 
One of the things that strikes me is that the sketching maestros on this forum shade with straight lines and resist the temptation to bend the lines to follow the form of the bird or to cross-hatch. That seems to be one of the things that makes the drawings so strong and clean. Just musing aloud- it's given me something to think about as well as to admire.

I've noticed this too ... is this something stressed in a formal art education, or something acquired through years of drawing? I'll never understand how you all manage such quick sketches in the field using shading to suggest form instead of hard lines (think Tim's sketching demo!), but the results always end up looking so damn good!
 
Post More!
Very good use of detail and still retaining jizz and movement.
I am learning a lot by looking at these forums and i will know try to use straight lines as shade.
Keep up ther good work. (though im sure you will)
 
Last edited:
One of the things that strikes me is that the sketching maestros on this forum shade with straight lines and resist the temptation to bend the lines to follow the form of the bird or to cross-hatch.

It's just one technique, and it also saves time when sketching a quick rendition of what you are seeing. It's interesting to note that I almost don't notice this at first glance, rather, I notice the fact that shadow is correctly placed on the subject in the proper places. Hey... what do you know, those are lines!
 
Well people I'm Overwhelmed by your praise! um wot can say thanks.

I will continue to post when I can. This last few weeks that I've been
on the forum I've felt a change in my artwork direction , mostly becuase of
conversation in these threads. My work is very much been driven
by market demand particularly for my Bird of prey paintings but although
this has given me alot of success in a small field its not been good
for my developement sometimes as an artist. I need to broaden my palette
and starting to field sketch more than I was with other subjects seems to
be helping.

I admire Robert Bateman alot but am very concious that there are alot of
people who wish to paint like him. Its not the way to go and although many
people will probably look and compare my style with his work I am trying to
break free from the influence and slowly develope my own style.

I will post some of my older works to illustrate this.

For me though Robert Is the wildlife master of our time and I fear
for me this influence will never go.

I recomened people read his thoughts on painting essay featured
on his sight.


I've noticed this too ... is this something stressed in a formal art education, or something acquired through years of drawing? I'll never understand how you all manage such quick sketches in the field using shading to suggest form instead of hard lines (think Tim's sketching demo!), but the results always end up looking so damn good!

To answer your question Jomo, I think its just something that developes from
the need to get shaded area's down quickly to suggest form Nothing more.
It certainly was'nt something taught to me formally.


One thing also which I think helps develope your field work drawings
( and I know not everyone will agree with me)
is to do more when you return home using referance you may have aquired
befor or aditional photo's you may have taken on sight. It should not take
anything away from your field work only add to your understanding of your
subject.

Thanks again guy's for your comments;)
 
Terrific work Andrew. You really dont need tips from anyone!

Out of interest what size pad are you using?

Woody

Woody I've been using a mixture, The nightjar stuff and Egret sketches were
done in a Daler-Rowney Black covered pad around A4 size on 150g/m
acid free paper, The other work from Morroco was done on a
Windsor NewtonA3 heavyweight smooth surface cartridge pad.
This is more cumbersome in the field to carry round but I like the
space it gives.
 
I guess if I'd read the thread properly, instead of being distracted by the sketches, I would have seen that you said they were on A3!

It's interesting that you mention the extra freedom that the larger space allows. I use those Daler Rowney hardback A4s mostly too, (sometimes sold cheap from Cass Arts in town -£1.95 each!), it's impractical to carry anything much bigger usually. But whenever I get the opportunity I'll always go bigger! (To my shame that's true in Burger king too! |:$| )

Woody
 
Warning! This thread is more than 15 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top