15 June 08

Back from the Sierra

Sketchbook exterior Despite my own best sabotage efforts, I did end up making a sketchbook (with a yellow cover, not gray, because it’s what I had) and took it with me this weekend when we went to Sierra Valley and Yuba Pass.

Sierra Valley pages from sketchbook Texas taught me to work fast, and that has become a useful tool. There was a lot of ground to cover and we saw a lot of birds. The technique of working in pen and then adding color later mostly works…

Hammond's flycatcher, watercolor The Hammond’s flycatcher, left, is for my dear friend Linda, for whom it was a nemesis bird for so long (I think she reached 700 without it).

Red-breasted sapsucker, watercolor The red-breasted sapsucker, right, is for Picus, because, well, he likes woodpeckers. (We dipped on the black-backed, Christopher, but saw all the others…)

Posted by at 08:48 PM in Bird By Bird | Link |

  1. Hey, look at me leaving a comment, like an honest to goodness blogger! I love the sketch of the RBSS – one of the highlights when I visited. I’m really jealous of your White-headed WPs though. Cheers!


    — Christopher    16. June 2008, 05:43    Link

  2. I absolutely love the glimpse into both your sketchbooks for this trip, but particularly the six frames all neatly laid out next to each other on one page. So deeply satisfying.


    — rr    16. June 2008, 13:20    Link

  3. The Hammonds, not in its own right a very distinct species, but ohhh, it will always be special to me! Most endearing because you, my dear friend, orchestrated a trip to insure I could check this bird off, once and for all! A memorable bird and memorable trip! Then, to sketch the bird, in its unassuming glory creating a distinguished vision- you are a dear, indeed! Hugs


    — Lindy Loo    16. June 2008, 17:37    Link

  4. Sounds like a wonderful weekend you had – and you brought back art to prove it! The Hammond flycatcher is a particularly gorgeous work.


    — Teresa    16. June 2008, 20:03    Link

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