Good Find 2
Surrounded by greenery even in January, what a treat to find this nest, perfectly sheltered in the crotch of a young white pine. A small grove of new trees has grown up in the unkempt neighboring field—a good find for birds looking for hidden places to raise their young. I like to think of new life hatching last summer when the field was golden and the sun was warmer than it is today.
Tips and Techniques– Try sketching while standing up. I drew this nest in pen while standing in the field and painted it later at home. Standing encourages the use of your entire arm, rather than just the hand and wrist, which helps to keep your sketches loose. Sketching in the cold also encourages you to work quickly and not fuss too much.
Drawn In 
I really love this picture. Did simply sketch first and then add the color later?
Yes– I sketched in pen outdoors and then came inside to paint it.
So lovely and fresh. I like the lay out of the calligraphy with the sketch/painting.
Thanks Jan. I like leaving room for some text to round out the sketch.
Lovely sketch Jean. And thank you for the tips, I might try this. I like sketching when I’m out and about and could paint them later when I get home…
I’ve never sketched when it’s cold. But your tips make sense. Now can I brave it? Beautiful sketch! I have a weakness for birds nest. I have a collection scattered about my home in different displays. Maybe I’ll sketch one of them.
Go for it! And especially try drawing your nests! They are so beautiful!
It IS such fun to find nests in the off season, and it leads one to imagine and wonder. I like the way you handled the pine needles, just quick whisks of green going this way and that. Standing in the field, in the cold, sketching with a pen. 🙂 Nice! Your advice to keep the whole arm moving reminded me of trying to photograph palm fronds on a windy day. Frustrated, I just gave up and moved the camera, then my whole body, kind of echoing the wind’s movement. I ended up with a few really cool images. It never quite worked again, but you never know, do you?
Yes, it is great to find a nice nest in the off season. Especially one without mice in it– both of my nest boxes were taken over, and I recently discovered them to be quite full of mice and their nests. (Not a fan!)
What a surprise. Will you clean them out and try again, or maybe it doesn’t seem worth it. 😦
Oh yes. We’ll clean house and make sure they are ready for birds come spring.
Inspiring as always. I’ve never tried standing & sketching. I’ll have to give it a go. Did you take a picture of the nest, or make any color notes, or just “wing” it at home, or what? (Pun intended.)
I did take a photo of the nest, especially because I wanted a reference for the strong shadows. Sometimes I do “wing it”– which can free me up with color, rather than feel I have to be true to the source color. Do try standing and drawing sometime!
And to think they won’t go back to these works of art and will make news ones.
I do see birds occasionally reuse a nest– much depends on what shape the nest is in and whether they were successful in that spot the previous year, and whether adults survived the winter or migration.
When you sketch in nature, do you also take a photo to take home to review?
Gwen Gordon – email: gwen.gordon@yahoo.com – call: 530-272-4841 – text: 530-913-9161
Sent you an email response.