I had been avoiding drawing a bald eagle, because it is THE bird that symbolizes America, and I didn’t want it to look stiff. I wanted to draw a bird that looked like a bird, not an icon. So, when National Geographic did a spread on eagles, I found a few images that were really dramatic and had great movement. I love the upward sweep of the right wing, whip-like.
I did this bird and another bald eagle in the same night.
Hey, old man bird.
Colored pencil on this one. The background is pretty busy, and this one didn’t work as well as others with the re-purposed drawing. But it’s OK. I think his wary eye saves it. Like he’s wondering why that skeleton man is going to touch him. Oh no, skeleton man. You will not touch me.
Cousin to the ostrich, and a wonderfully awkward bird. Why fly, when you can kick your enemies with those big feet?
What a fun beak for drawing! I used brush-tip marker pens for this one. They offer lovely control and range of movement.
Puffins are such adorable birds. I almost didn’t want to draw one because I knew there was no way it was NOT going to be cutesy. And I didn’t want it to be too cute, like cartoon character cute. But the puffin is basically built to be a cartoon, even more so than the penguin.
Don’t you just want to pat his little head? But don’t. Seriously. Don’t do it. They smell like fish, and those beaks are big and pointy.
claire meyler 