As my bird art has developed I've started to do far more sketching, both fieldsketches, where I draw live birds that I see, and studio sketches, based on fieldsketches, photos that I've taken, and memory. Included below are some of the more recent ones. I've also included some recent watercolor sketches, done in 15-30 minutes. The fieldsketches may seem less developed than the other sketches but that is inevitable with sketching in the field. Birds do not sit still for you. Nonetheless it is the experience in the field, the connection made there, that allows sketches from photos to seem somewhat lifelike. In my mind the fieldsketches are essential to any good, and lively, bird art.
'Lesser Yellowlegs'. Seen at Magee Marsh NWR in Ohio 2009. 11x14, pencil.
'Lesser Yellowlegs'. Seen at Magee Marsh NWR in Ohio 2009. 11x14, pencil.
'Snow Geese Watercolor Sketch'. Seen at Brigantine NWR, NJ in 2009. 9x12, watercolor.
'Green Heron Studies'. Seen at Homer Lake State Park near Champaign, IL in 2009. 11x14, pencil.
'Sora Studies'. Seen at Horicon Marsh near Mayville, WI in 2009. 11x14, pencil.
'Kildeer at Morris Arboretum Watercolor Sketch'. Seen at Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia, March, 2010. 9x12, watercolor.
'Sandhill Crane Studies No. 3'. Seen at Horicon Marsh near Mayville, WI in 2009. 11x14, pencil.
'Eastern Phoebe, Belted Kingfisher FieldSketch'. Fieldsketch from Morris Arboretum in Pniladelphia, fall 2009. 8x5, pencil.
'Green Heron FieldSketch'. Fieldsketch from John Heinz NWR in Pniladelphia, summer 2009. 8x5, pencil.