Kingfisher from The Virtual Instructor
I followed along to a tutorial by the virtual instructor, Matt Fussell, to draw this Kingfisher in colored pencil. I think it was the first time I totally focused on creating a finished-looking colored pencil portrait, and I’m really pleased with it.
As always, I struggle with perspective. My bird has a few issues, but I won’t dwell.
I used Strathmore 500 Bristol and a variety of colored pencils, mostly Caran d’ache and Derwent. He used Prismacolor, and the few I have are nearly gone. The course is called Three Little Birds, and there’s also a Bluejay and a hummingbird.
I’m continuing my endeavor of sketching all 47 birds in the book Identify and Draw North American Birds. I’m swapping between Caran D’ache Luminance and Derwent Drawing Pencils. The Derwent pencils don’t have many bright colors, but the birds often call for vivid reds, blues, and greens, so I often reach for the luminous Luminance.
Several years ago the traveler’s notebook trend began, but I wasn’t paying attention. I am now, however, and have not one but two: the standard size (above) and an A5 (below). I prefer the A5 as it’s just that much wider and the notebooks stay open while I’m sketching. Yes, I did buy a bigger purse to carry my art supplies on a daily basis.
