As my bird art has developed I've started to do far more fieldsketching. With the exception of one drawing from McNeil Avian Center of Philadelphia Zoo, all of these were done in the field, from live birds. The fieldsketches may seem less developed than some would like but that is inevitable with sketching in the field. Birds rarely sit still for you. Nonetheless it is the experience in the field, the connection made there, that allows drawings and paintings that depend more on photos for detail to seem somewhat lifelike. In my mind the fieldsketches are essential to any good, and lively, bird art.
'Egyptian Plover, Magpie Shrikes and Blue-breasted Kingfisher Field Sketch'. Seen at McNeil Avian Center of
Philadelphia Zoo in May, 2011. 8x5, pen.
'Blue-headed Vireo, Bay-breasted Warbler and Semipalmated Plover Field Sketch'. Seen at and near Magee Marsh NWR
in Ohio, May, 2011. 8x5, pen.
'Prothonotary and Magnolia Warbler Field Sketch'. Seen on boardwalk of Magee Marsh NWR
in Ohio, May, 2011. 8x5, pen.
'Common Yellowthroat Warbler, Swamp Sparrow, et al. Sketch'. Seen at Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia in 2011. 8x10, pen.
'Hermit Thrush, Pileated Woodpecker, et al. Sketch'. Seen at Wissahickon Creek in Philadelphia in 2011. 8x10, pen.
'Mallard and Canada Geese Sketch'. Seen at Valley Green along Wissahickon Creek in Philadelphia in 2010. 8x10, pen.
'Orchard Oriole Feeding Young'. Seen at Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia in 2010. 8x10, pen.