The Art of Botanical & Bird Illustration

Incorporating Birds

Birds are found all over the world in every possible setting, from crowded city streets to rural, backcountry roads. They inhabit frozen, temperate, and tropical climates and can be seen on both land and water. The ability to fly from one location to another allows birds to migrate and be found in different environments during different seasons worldwide.

Birds are a challenging subject to draw because they move quickly, taking flight at a moment’s notice, and often disappearing before a single pencil stroke is made. Understanding and breaking down basic bird anatomy will greatly enhance your experience drawing them, whether you are working from photographs, taxidermy specimens, captive birds, or observing them in the wild. ...