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. Most of these were done in the field, from live birds. I've also included at bottom one sketch based on photos and another based on a video. 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 from photos to seem somewhat lifelike. In my mind the fieldsketches are essential to any good, and lively, bird art.
'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.
'Tree Swallows 2010'. Seen at Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia in 2010. 8x10, pen.
'Short-billed Dowitchers and Black Skimmers Sketch'. Seen at Heislerville WMA in New Jersey in 2010. 8x5, pen.
'Short-billed Dowitchers on Tree in Water Sketch'. Seen at Heislerville WMA in New Jersey in 2010. 8x5, pen.
'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.
'Sandhill Crane Studies No. 3'. Seen at Horicon Marsh near Mayville, WI in 2009. 11x14, pencil.
'Winged Migration Sketches No. 3'. Sketched while watching 'Winged Migration'. 11x14, pencil.