The pheasant is complete now, I continued to work in sections. Although I completed the tail layer last, I moved it below the lower back layer just as I moved the wing layer below the mid back layer earlier.
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Here it is without the colour coding. I’ll begin on the ground and grasses ...

lol! Thanks Linda! Honestly, I had mixed feelings at first. Now, I’ve embraced it and I’m determined to produce drawings that look as much as possible like traditional drawings. I’m using everything I learned from Mike, but I’m using another medium.

Without going into details, digital drawing has ...

I’ve completed the wing section, and added that odd, hairy, cap of feathers on the lower back. Next comes that long elegant pheasant tail, and then I’ll move on to the grasses. Thanks as always for following along with me!

I’m not posting a step-by-step description on this project because it’s really all about just drawing as I would with graphite pencils, and taking my time with it. As always though, if you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to ask.

I’m still using the same brushes I described in my ...

This is lovely! I think that you handled the bower branch tangle very well.

I don’t have experience with pastels, but if I were drawing this in graphite, I think that I would try darkening the bower behind the bird which would make him stand out more and push him forward. I don’t know how faithful ...

This sounds like a nightmare. Especially since she is your neighbour. I guess that’s part of the risk when your canvas can get up and walk out the door!

There are ungrateful or disrespectful or difficult clients in all businesses. The best we can do is exactly what you’re doing, and refuse to ...

Hi Andy. Welcome to the forum. I think that what you’re experiencing is the difference between copying a reference, and telling a story through your composition. I love that stage when you can really feel that you’re creating a story through your artwork! In my experience, it actually takes a lot of ...

The chest and belly area are progressing. It’s not terribly precise work, but it’s a slow going. The feather markings can vary in placement, but they do have to follow the contours of the pheasant. They also vary slightly in value as the light catches the surface of the feather nearest to it, and as ...

I’ve completed the head now, and I’m working on the chest and belly. This is quite a bit easier than the head. The feather markings are distinctive, but their placement is a little irregular, and varies from one individual to another.

I’m still using the same pencil brush, but since these feathers ...

LOL! I thought he looked pretty good for being stuffed and mounted over 60 years ago!

Thank you for your encouragement Mike. I’m enjoying drawing this old boy!!