John Muir Laws

How To Draw Wildflowers

John Muir Laws — Thu, 03 May 2012 23:13:31 +0000

n April 29, 2012 I gave a free workshop on drawing wildflowers at the Santa Clara Valley Wildflower Show. In this class I discuss how to draw the symmetry of wildflowers and how to draw flowers at foreshortened angles. I … Continue reading →

Nature Journal Quotes

John Muir Laws — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:32:13 +0000

good friend and nature journaling teacher, Sarah Rabkin, recently sent me a list of quotes that are relevant to nature journaling. She granted me permission to share them with you. These give me even greater motivation and inspiration to get … Continue reading →

How to draw foreshortened birds

John Muir Laws — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:24:44 +0000

et's look at the way that straight lines on a curved surface appear to bend. A little time studying this phenomenon will help you draw and foreshorten anything you see- including the patterns on the breasts and bellies of birds. … Continue reading →

You can draw… if you draw

John Muir Laws — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 01:45:28 +0000

here is a widely held belief that drawing is a gift. That some people are born drawers and that others are just out of luck and did not get the drawing gene. We often overhear people say, "I wish I … Continue reading →

How to paint a Slate-colored Junco step-by-step

John Muir Laws — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:47:16 +0000

have received a lot of requests for more step by step illustration demonstrations. In this one I have emphasized the pencil technique that gives the bird texture. Note the direction of the pencil strokes. I stroke each feather group separately, … Continue reading →

How to paint a Mountain Bluebird step-by-step

John Muir Laws — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:03:58 +0000

have received several requests for more step by step guidance on drawing birds. I have started adding a touch of white colored pencil over dry watercolor and I really like the results. Note how much this illustration tightens up when … Continue reading →

Creating Illustrations for Field Guides

John Muir Laws — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:07:06 +0000

here are a few conventions that help illustrators make useful identification drawings for field guides. Real birds do not look like the illustrations in field guides. The field guide illustration is an attempt to average characteristics of many individuals into a … Continue reading →

How to paint shadows: Bohemian Waxwing

John Muir Laws — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:18:57 +0000

hadows are an important part of a successful painting. If you paint them at the end, they will feel like an afterthought and may muddy your colors. These last minute shadows may feel blotchy and inconsistent. Most importantly, it is … Continue reading →

How To Draw Birds in Flight

John Muir Laws — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:22:05 +0000

atching birds in flight is thrilling. The wings of small birds flap too quickly for the eye to catch. If all you see is a blur, draw the blur. Large soaring birds such as raptors, gulls and ravens hold their … Continue reading →

Speed Drawing Birds

John Muir Laws — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 06:43:29 +0000

ne of the best ways to train yourself to rapidly draw birds in the field is to practice at home with clear sharp photographs. Set a timer and give yourself one minute for each sketch. Do not worry about details but … Continue reading →