Bird Project

As I continue  to work with birds (after a big pause), I am noticing a change in how the project is going. There is something unsatisfying in just drawing pretty birds. I need depth. Or I need to say something. In my most recent exercise, I re-used a bird I had…

I’ve slowed down on my bird project while I’m exploring other fundamentals in the practice of drawing. I came across a beautiful dead bird a few weeks ago which asked to be drawn in a different way than my previous exploration in drawing birds. I could really feel that drawing…

The vulturine guineafowl seemed appropriate to express sentiments of the heart. This is because its beautiful patterned blue, black, and white feathers (not seen in my black and white rendering) are integral to courtship. While I was creating this composition, this love scenario, I was listening to songs by Cuban…

I mentioned in my previous post that to help me explore drawing further, I am taking a drawing course at Emily Carr University of Art & Design. On the first lesson we focused on line qualities. I really liked that lesson. It got me thinking of different ways to draw…

I saw the ever colourful Gouldian Finch at the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park here in Vancouver. It’s a pretty small conservatory but neat nonetheless.  I took a photo and this is the resulting drawing. Something I recently realized is that these bird drawings are not part of my…

This little guy gave me problems at first. I couldn’t get the shape right so I had to switch from my direct line drawing to sketching shapes first. Drawing the Eurasian Starling reminded me that it’s good to be able to approach a problem from different sides. And to take…

That’s a neat name all right! The Kookaburra hails from Australia and Tasmania and has the most wonderful beak! Flat-like and wide. “The Kookaburra is also known as the “laughing jackass” because of its braying, laugh like call.” This from the encyclopedia I’m referencing–Wildlife Fact File.  It’s a great fact…

Today I tried listening to some music while art journaling–listened to Birth of Cool by Miles Davis. When the weather is grey and wet, I need a little pick me up. The music was a welcome change and it carried me for an hour plus while I continued onto drawing…

One of my new personal projects/challenges is to do more  drawing. I am doing this in a couple of ways. Here’s one way . . . I’ve always wanted to spend some time drawing birds. There is something benevolent and calming about birds. Their song and chirpiness connects us (me)…