Drawing Nature: Backyard Birds

In this five-week workshop, we’ll focus on drawing and painting colorful North American backyard birds. You’ll learn how to observe and illustrate species like the white-winged crossbill, orchard oriole, indigo bunting, American redstart, and ruby-throated hummingbird. We’ll look at basic bird anatomy, wing structure, and how birds move and sit. We’ll also talk about their habitats and what makes each one unique. You’ll get to work with different materials—watercolors, colored pencils, and pastels—to try out techniques and find what works best for your style. The goal is to make a finished piece for each bird by the end of the workshop. Along the way, there will be demos, group discussions, and plenty of time for hands-on practice. This class is a good fit for anyone who already has some drawing experience and wants to focus on nature subjects in a relaxed, supportive setting.