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Recent content by ABCY 1

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    A self published effort, or how I went down the rabbit hole and haven’t been seen since.

    I will jump in here as this is such an unusual and interesting publication. I should say that I have virtually no knowledge of Costa Rica or its birds, but some decades of experience illustrating birds for identification, most recently contributing to the Australian Bird Guide. This book could...
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    Emotionally attached?

    As a long-time field sketcher it’s a pleasure to find others being rewarded by looking at birds closely enough to draw them. I fully agree with Steve about the “unique interaction” that comes with field sketching. Obviously digital photography has transformed the way many birders work, but you...
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    Great reads for birders!

    A big thumbs up here for A Guide to the Birds of East Africa! It takes real skill to engage non-birders in this way. Meanwhile I note that the OP has included some non-fiction in his list (Kingbird Highway at least) so I will jump in to recommend some favourite factual books about birding. Some...
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    4 species of Kingfishers recorded in Peninsular Malaysia

    Nice work! Simple lines and blocks of colour but instantly recognisable. I hope you’ll be drawing Blue-banded Kingfisher next.
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    Field sketching and illustration

    Hi Bryan, and thanks A delayed response to your Post #52: I like your use of ‘additive’ and ‘subtractive’ for art and photography and there is plenty to discuss there. The intention to observe with the aim of sketching and painting something is distinct from the intention to “grab everything”...
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    Field sketching and illustration

    ...so why not photography? At the risk of talking to myself, I’ve enjoyed the way this thread has evolved and would like to keep it going to find out more about how other artists work. So one more question in the hope of stirring things up: Given what modern photography can achieve, why bother...
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    Field sketching and illustration

    Bryan, post 49 As a side note, sometimes the best design for a painting is the first doodle and not the last one. One is often working with subconscious impulses at the early stages that can be more on target than the last set of sketches which can sometimes be a bit strained. I think you have...
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    Field sketching and illustration

    Hi Bryan (post 43) This has turned into a long and fascinating conversation: with your latest post I think we are starting to circle back towards my original post on field sketching. Some responses to your post: Its interesting that you are focusing on improving the “art” aspect of your work...
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    Field sketching and illustration

    Hi Chosun (Post 42) Thank you Peter for your very kind words about my beginner's sketch ! I did try to capture that effortless glide across the sky and particularly the head articulation. I also tried to build up the eagle out of it's anatomical parts rather than just copying a shape or a...
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    Field sketching and illustration

    Hi Chosun, thanks for your kind words and thanks for posting. Great to see your sketches; there is a lot to be gleaned from photos and the process of drawing is always rewarding - it helps me look at familiar species with fresh eyes. Raptors in flight are a challenge and you have nailed the...
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    Field sketching and illustration

    (post 35, Rotherbirder) Again, sorry for the slow reply, I've been travelling Hi Peter. It's very flattering to be mentioned in the same sentence as Eric Ennion and I'm not quite sure its warranted. His economy of line and depictions of birds 'in action' are, I agree, peerless and I envy you...
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    Field sketching and illustration

    (post 28, Bryan) With apologies for the slow response... I would agree with this assessment about the requirements of visiting birders. One thing I’m enjoying about this conversation is the wonderful name dropping thats going on. Names such as Forshaw and Cooper have me happily scampering off...
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    Field sketching and illustration

    (Post 26 Rotherbirder) Hi RB, and thanks for posting – the whole aim of this thread was to start a conversation about the way people approach illustrating birds. I agree with Bryan that there is no league, just a bunch of starving artists interested in painting birds. You may have gathered that...
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    Field sketching and illustration

    Hi Bryan, and thanks Another lengthy reply here; this time I’ve tried to put my thoughts alongside your text: Firstly, I like the paintings from your last post particularly how the needles cross in front of the body of the bird, it really helps tell the story about location. Noel narrows his...
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    Field sketching and illustration

    Going botanical Hi Bryan Lots to talk about here. Your comments on pupil shape and the bird's gaze are interesting; one of the exercises I set my advanced students is to draw the head of a Goshawk looking 'outward' (sideways) and forward, which really changes the shape of the pupil and indeed...
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