BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="phil baber" data-source="post: 1851591" data-attributes="member: 71208">Rob,Great that you're diving in, and continuing your journey! I recently "house sat" for my partner (Madame Untitled <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />), and I thought i'd sketch her garden visitors. While I was killing time between feeding the flowers and watering the cats :cat: , I sketched "common birds".B <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />I was surprised at how little I knew about them. As they are so common, I'd disregarded them in my sketching history.Was the white band above or below the black neck bend on a Collared Dove?I didn't do many sketches, but discovered a few things about CDs and Magpies I didn't know, or had taken for granted.It taught me a lesson. Never take anything for granted with sketching birds...Many artists avoid the common birds. But they are a good place to start. And are available most times! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />Concentrating on them at the outset will bring many surprises, and teach you much. Not just about sketching, but about "birdcraft." :t:Once you know your abundants really well, it's then that you'll easier find anything unusual or rare.Next time you go to a twitch, make a point of asking the assembled,"Is the white band on a Collared Dove's neck above or below the black band?"Sketch on my friend, and show us your discoveries. Because we all may learn from them!PS I attach my sketches. And I wasn't pleased with them! :-C</blockquote>

Verification