Bird Study Sketching Tutorial with Color Pencils

Bird sketch with hand lettering

A sketching tutorial featuring a nuthatch bird!

Hi everyone, Mou Saha here with a study tutorial of a nuthatch, a common backyard bird, using Pitt Artist Pens and Goldfaber Color Pencils. I have made a complete materials list for you.

Materials:

Grip 2001 Graphite Pencil - HB - #117000

Kneadable Art Eraser - Grey - #127220

Pitt Artist Pen® Soft Brush - #199 Black - #800124

Pitt Artist Pen® Extra Superfine - #199 Black - #800066

Goldfaber Color Pencils - Tin of 48 - #214748

Mixed Media paper, cut to 9 x 6 inches

Bird sketch with graphite pencil

Start with a light sketch using the Grip 2001 Pencil.

Bird sketch with Pitt Artist Pen

The nuthatch has a strong crown pattern. Create the pattern with soft brush tip black Pitt Artist Pen. Add more definition to the tail feathers.

Bird sketch with Pitt Artist Pen

Study the pattern of feathers over the bird’s whole body. Recreate them with small strokes using extra superfine tip black Pitt Artist Pen. Give the nuthatch a mossy branch to sit on.

Bird sketch with Goldfaber Color Pencils

The red-breasted nuthatch has a rusty cinnamon underpart, more vibrant in the male. Create a soft reddish shade using Goldfaber Color Pencil shades of yellow, orange and brown. 

Bird sketch with Goldfaber Color Pencils

The dorsal feathers or the feathers on the back of the nuthatch are a bluish grey.

Color the mossy branch with green and brown Goldfaber Color Pencils.

Bird sketch with pencil and Pitt Artist Pen

Blend the colors on the branch with white Goldfaber color pencil. Soften parts of the bid with the same white pencil wherever you need to.

With soft brush tip black Pitt Artist Pen, title the bird.

On the top left corner of the page, create a banner with the extra superfine tip black Pitt Artist Pen. Fill in some identifying details about the nuthatch inside the banner with the same pen.

Give the banner its shadow with soft brush tip black Pitt Artist Pen.

I hope you enjoyed today’s tutorial with Pitt Artist Pens and make time to study the wildlife around you!

Artist Biography - Mou Saha - Mou Saha Studio

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