Thank you , , , , , and many others for tuning into my live video!
A quick note about the pixelation during the livestream and in the replay. After some research, this may be because my streams involve a lot of movement, and the settings recommended by Substack are for “talking head” type livestreams. So I’ve made an adjustment to my settings, which I want to test out later this week. Don’t be surprised if you get a notification that I’m live, and if you can join me. xo
Hi, friends!
This episode is the first of many opportunities to practice drawing and painting birds using ink and watercolor, specifically for our nature journals but perhaps also as a jumping off point to explore this subject in a more interpretive way. Realism as a style does not replace expressiveness any more than the reverse. It’s also not the measuring stick to use when assessing what you do during or after these livestreams. Translating your observation to a visible representation in your journal is not the goal.
Yes, we want to be accurate, and if absolute realism is the result you want it takes more than two hours. Sheesh, it takes me much longer than two days! A studio piece of mine can take anywhere from a few weeks to many, many months to complete, and that doesn’t include the weeks/months of observation, sketching, making thumbnails, color studies, and then revisions to the drawing until I have a very realistic representation of my subject.
It’s the journey to this result, however, that is the goal. Along the way I’ve picked up information about the bird. I’ve observed it in the wild, learning how it moves in, and how it responds to, its environment. I’ve also picked up information about myself. I learn patience, grace, and humility. I learn to think through problems and take corrective action. I learn to celebrate small wins and while being cognizant of the bigger picture not obsess over it lest it cloud my experience of the now.
Illustrating birds in my nature journal and painting them as “art” leads me down different yet simultaneous paths of discovery. This is what I hope to facilitate over the next few months of weekly livestreams as we explore Acadia National Park through its birds.
Cricklewood Camp
Also coming in July and August is Cricklewood Camp for paid supporters, where each week I share a little walk exploring part of the national park, supply a prompt, and we nature journal together. There are also two extra livestreams each month plus we’ll make an illustrated map in July and a personal field guide in August. All camp activities can be adapted to your region — the national park is just my example — so make this project your own! I’ll have more information coming next week about the schedule, supplies, etc. Think about upgrading your subscription if you haven’t already.
Next week’s livestream, we’ll use our color mixing knowledge to learn about the Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassinac). And since our theme this month is green, we’ll practice mixing a different green using different base colors than the ones we used this week. (Paid supporters, going forward you’ll find the next week’s reference in your special section below.)
xoSusannah
P.S. Join this episode’s chat to share your journal pages, your thoughts, and cheer on others!
P.P.S. Paid supporters, scroll down for next week’s reference photo, this week’s prompt, and more photos of the Resplendent Quetzal for practice.
Wonder-Filled Wednesday
Every Wednesday at 1:30pm Eastern US time (Time Converter), we marvel in our nature journals together — draw along with me or just watch, ask questions, etc. Livestreams are hosted on Substack for everyone, and recorded/archived for paid subscribers.
To join me live on your computer, look for my email notification. Or to watch on your phone download the app:
Prompt And Extra References For Practice
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