Drawing Birds in Brush & Ink
George Boorujy
Class Preview
1:04
- In-depth Instruction; over 159 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
References & Thumbnails
19:31
Meet instructor George Boorujy and learn about the incredible techniques you'll try in this class. George shares a brief history of ornithology and bird illustration, and offers tips for selecting helpful reference images and making thumbnail sketches.
Essential Bird Anatomy
19:40
Understanding bird anatomy is key to creating accurate depictions, and George helps make this topic fun and interesting. Train your eye to see what's beneath a bird's feathers as you draw realistic feet, beaks, wings and more.
Composition & Modeling
20:44
Now that you've selected your subject, it's time to examine composition options. Learn how to create a dynamic artwork, using your photos, sketches and a custom-made 3-D model to help you imagine and draw accurate foreshortening.
Proportions & Feathers
19:32
Explore a variety of feathers, learning how to depict different types ranging from downy fluff to long flight feathers with scientific accuracy. George shows you how to create realistic details and proportions as you work.
Refine the Graphite Drawing
27:27
Add areas of shadows, highlights and realistic textures to your emerging work that will make your birds look like they're popping off the page. George helps you examine your reference photos for cast shadows and value contrasts that will add amazing dimension to the form.
Monochromatic Ink Wash
22:39
Transform your graphite drawing by adding a monochromatic ink wash. George explains how to mix ink and water, and ink your drawing skillfully. With a little practice, you'll be able to confidently start with a gray or sepia wash and build up the exact values you want.
Color & Details
28:36
Complete your work with vibrant splashes of color as George demonstrates how to use colored inks. Discover the best ways to mix colors and modify their values before adding the final highlights. You'll finish the class with the ability to bring any bird to life on the page.
Learn how to draw realistic birds with convincing form and vivid color alongside professional artist George Boorujy. Start with tips for transforming reference photos into compelling compositions. Next, George will cover bird anatomy basics to help you create a line drawing with realistic proportions and features. You’ll even build a simple 3-D model that makes it easy to understand foreshortening and draw the play of light on your bird’s body and feathers. Then, create the perfect mixture of ink and water, and use it to render light and shadow for an image with dramatic dimension. Plus, bring your bird to life in vibrant hues with techniques for mixing and layering colored inks.
George Boorujy
Intending to pursue a career as a marine biologist, George Boorujy ended up with a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Miami in 1996. This degree led him to a master of fine arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 2002. Since then, George's work has been exhibited widely in the U.S. and internationally, and he's represented by P.P.O.W Gallery in New York City. He's been a painting fellow through the New York Foundation for the Arts and a fellow at the Smack Mellon gallery's residency program in Brooklyn, New York. George has also created nature illustrations for the Bronx Zoo, the New York Parks Department and The Guardian newspaper.
Bonus materials available after purchase