Field Orinthology, field sketchbooks

Zach Houvener

Zach Houvener

Active member
So I signed up for an elective biology credit this spring quarter and am pretty excited about taking this field ornithology course. Basically we are learning characteristics both physical/auditory about 50 NW birds and their habitats.We are also learning about how people census certain bird populations.

First question,

Does anyone have an extra copy of Sibleys: field guide to the birds of western north america that I can either borrow or buy off them..

Second question,

I've recently been getting interested in starting watercolor "sketchbooks" for when I go birding/scouting/and now for my class. I really enjoy seeing these quick, "messy" field sketches in either pencil/watercolor/pastel. Does anyone know of a good book that either has a bunch of these type of drawings in it? I know it probably comes with experience but would love a "how-to" book on trying this thing out. I think it would give me great deal of satisfaction as well as I believe that these sketch are excellent art pieces.

Heres a few images I found that are what im looking for
Squirrel.jpg

Cornwall.jpg

black-winged-stilt-4.jpg


Any help is greatly appreciated!

Zach

 
Way to go Zach.....good for you!!

There are many books that I will post later for you (need to write down the titles) but the absolute best of the bunch are the Keith Brockie series.....with "One Man's Island" being the best of the best....followed by "One Man's River" and his "Wildife Sketchbook". "One Man's Island is my favorite book....I have five copies!!!

I will post the others later tonight!!

Best to you,

Keith
 
Ketih,

Can't wait for you to post up with the other titles...I already looked on amazon and will be ordering some of Ketihs books for pretty darn cheap!

Thanks alot

Zach
 
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=524062&highlight=sketchbook
That is a thread at Wetcanvas that has a lot of pictures of a nice field journal and some info about how it is done. Not a lot of birds but there are some and about everything else that might be in a back yard.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=563498&highlight=bird
This thread is all birds but is not all sketches. There is a lot of anatomy and general info in there that is very good.

Have you been painting watercolors? I was thinking about setting up a sketch kit for myself. I've been thinking that watercolor pencils and waterbrushes might be the most convenient to take along.

Tim
 
Zach, Mr. Mueller is correct,Keith Brockie is a great sketch artist. His books tell you just how to go about keeping a field sketch book. Let mee know if you can not find all of them. Keep in touch, its been a long time since we have talked. I hope school is going well.
 
CF Tunnicliffe is a master. He will be in Keith's list, but my favorite "Measured Drawings" is mucho $$$$. I also own many of the Brockie books. I do, cuz I thumbed through Keith's library. You may want to get Busby's book from the Library on drawing birds. Its more how to observe birds for drawing, what features to look for, what to leave out, how to set your composition, than a how to draw. Very neat book.

Oh and I love Tim Wooten, Have share a couple of emails with him. Very talented man with a compelling story of following your passion.
 
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Hi Zach,

Here are a few I would recommend but the Brockie series are the best by far. Some of these are pricey, but may be found used at the usual sources.

The one I would see as best for you would be : Drawing Birds by John Busby

If you can find a copy: Lighthouse Notebook by Norman McCanch (very Brockie-"ish")

These titles fall into the advancing level, but are great resources for good sound fundamentals.

Birds and Light by Lars Jonsson

Sketches of Birdlife by C. F. Tunnicliffe

Tunnicliffe's Birds

Any book by Ray Harris-Ching

These two books are among my favorites: Birds by Terrance James Bond

If you wish to continue beyond field sketches and advance your painting techniques, any of the "painting birds" or "Wildlife Art" series would be very helpful.

Good luck with your newfound art direction.

Keith
 
I took Ornithology back in college and loved it. I had a great professor who loved to be out in the field. I warn you that when your finished every time your out somewhere and you see or hear a bird your going to go on point like a pointer! Having this back ground knowledge sure enhances your hunting experiences.
 
Keith and everyone,

Thanks again for some great titles. I ordered some of them today and looking forward to glancing at them through finals week!

Zach
 
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