10.20 am, looking south-east; as I drew the view of Coxley Valley from my studio window, the last traces of the overnight frost faded from the meadow and the pearly hint of mistiness in the air dissolved away.
I decided on a change from my usual pen first, then watercolour technique and tried looking at the great tits, blue tits and greenfinches coming to the sunflower heart feeders as coloured shapes. I watched each bird until it moved then tried to get the whole pose on paper with a freshly sharpened HB pencil. If I could practice this a bit more, I think it would give me a grasp of the shapes of birds which I don’t take on board in the same way when I’m adding details in pen.
I wonder what size and shape brush you were using for the birds?
I can’t find a size on it but it looks quite small to me, about a size 4. I’m thinking that it’s time to upgrade my brushes and have a change from water brushes and I’d like to try one of those larger brushes that comes to a fine but springy point. Get a bit more calligraphic with my brushwork!
Oh, thank you. IpYour birds look very good to me here, but it’s always fun to try new things!
Thank you. As they flit about so much I’d like to try the technique on some creature that stays put for more than a few seconds. I’d like to spend a day drawing at a zoo.
Yes, me too!