Didn't need to ID the blackies, Woody - they were obvious even to a terrible birder such as me! - These 'stronger', more outlined drawings really have a genuine substance which I like, have to get your Woody's Sketchbook filled now!Tim those are superb as always. I particularly like the terns -all of 'em. I think it's the interesting angles that get me going, rather than the 'straight from the side' thing that I'm sometimes guilty of.
I should have mentioned that two of my starlings are, in fact, blackbirds- which would explain why they are cr*p drawings of starlings!
Nick, lay off the ripe camembert late at night mate! Wierdly I used to have a recurring dream about flying through a flooded underground carpark...
Woody
It seems you've got a lot out of these observations, drawing from life forces you to look more intently at the bird and consequently you see more. One tip I'd like to give, if I may. Before getting the detail on the bird, try and get a solid outline first, an understanding of the bird's anatomy is very important. Your stone curlews have a good solid shape, whereas the warblers have some very acutely observed detail which gets a little lost not having defining boundaries. This tip worked for me, but of course everyone is different and the great thing about art is not following the 'rules' that we were taught at school. Keep sketching, I'm sure you're already finding it rewarding and I for one am enjoying watching your progress immensely. Great stuff!
Thanks for the advice Nick I'll have a go and see how I do.
This was a brilliant idea, one which I was a little nervous about but have enjoyed a lot and learnt even more. Did someone suggest a June sketchathon? Perhaps we could make this a regular feature, I know I've enjoyed seeing peoples sketch's and seeing the process people go through to achieve their later works. It's also an encouragement for me to get out and try myself. Thanks to Buzzard12 for suggesting it and for everyone else for contributing.:clap: :clap: