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Subject: "I need some help"

Study and Teach Fine Art Techniques Animal and Wildlife drawing with Mike Sibley. Topic #60

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mz maniac

Member since Sep-9-02
147 posts, 4 feedbacks,

Mar-29-03, 05:19 AM ()

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"I need some help"

This is my first time drawing an animal. I've seen some pictures in here of birds, I have to say JL's Hawk picture is absolutely beautiful. The detail is outstanding!
Anyhow, this is my pet. It's a lutino pearl cockatiel. Her name is Buffy. Because she is so pale yellow and white, my printer is only black and white. When i print the picture the whole thing comes out almost white. I can't see any definition in the feathers. I wouldnt even know how to draw feathers. I was wondering if anyone could please give me a few hints.

Thanks
Jenni

http://www.drawing-portraits.com

Marc Forest

Member since Aug-23-02
294 posts, 14 feedbacks, 27 points

Mar-29-03, 08:59 PM ()

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1. "RE: I need some help"

Hey Jenni. I'm a little out of my relm also. What if you add a base of tone to get some shape and then park Buffy right next to you and look right at the feathers themselves.

Maybe???

Marc Forest.
http://www.marcforest.com

lmweil

Member since Feb-3-03
103 posts, 1 feedbacks,

Mar-29-03, 11:09 PM ()

2. "RE: I need some help"

Hi Jenni,

I love cockatiels, lovely personalities they have. You ask for a few hints about drawing feathers. Well, I am no expert, I still struggle with this quite a bit. But one thing that has helped me understand feather structure and also feather placement is to look at and read various reference and feild guides of birds. You are proably already aware of the Simpson & Day, or the Pizzey Field Guides to Birds of Australia. (local library will have if you haven't got a copy tucked away somewhere). Each has a diagram in the front sections showing how and where the scapular feathers overlap the coverts that fit into the primary and secondary feathers. If you know how they work, it will help you draw them even if your reference photo lacks definition... because even if you can't see them there, you know they are there.

Plus you have a big added advantage - you can park Buffy on a perch near you and draw from life! And look really closely at her to see any definintion.

have fun, hope to see Buffy here soon.

Linda Weil
www.users.bigpond.net.au/lindaweil/

mz maniac

Member since Sep-9-02
147 posts, 4 feedbacks,

Mar-29-03, 11:36 PM ()

3. "RE: I need some help"

thanks for the advice. I will look for the information about their feathers and how they "work". That sounds like it'll work. As for parking buffy right in front of me, thats a little hard. She's only a baby and while she is hand tamed she won't sit still. I guess I will just have to run back and forth to the cage LOL.

Thanks for the advice, you may see a WIP here soon

Jenni
http://www.drawing-portraits.com

Member since Sep-4-02
103 posts, 3 feedbacks,

Mar-31-03, 10:17 AM ()

4. "RE: I need some help"

First, thank you very much Jenni! At first I would take more pictures of the bird from different angles, which is easy with digi-camera and own parrot, and choose best of them. Reason for this is that drawing of a pale bird straight from the side makes it sort of flat. When you have decided the right pic print it, put little more contrast to it in photoshop if it cames too light.
Then measure the main points from it, height, width, main features, eye, beak, wings and put these in sketch as in my first pic of the hawk. All details you can see from your monitor.
Feathers are very easy to draw, as you don�t draw them! First just blend overall shape to the body, find dark and light areas, erase lightist areas with blu-tack/kneaded eraser. Draw the main feathers edges, mostly in wings, then edges of those lighter feathers in wings and body � theres really no feathers, just lighter and darker spots which have darker or lighter edges.
Then add beak, eye(s), feet and branch and voila! You have Buffy, The Vampire Slayer Parrot�

This all from knowledge of 1(one) bird drawing�reader beware!