As a bird artist, I am constantly sifting through photo reference, looking for just the right image for my next drawing or painting. I believe that the best bird photos depict dynamic, lively poses. In this post, I share what I look for in an image and why I choose one image over another. The … Read More
While I’m pretty sure you’ve heard about #inktober, you may not be familiar with its kissing cousin, #Birdtober. #Birdtober also runs during the month of October and is rapidly growing in popularity. In this post, you’ll learn how to have a fun, productive, and great #birdtober2021! Choose your #Birdtober Prompt List (or Make Your Own) … Read More
Because I spend so much time looking for and using photo reference, I have had to learn to cope with inadequate images. Here are a three lessons I’ve learned that help me to get good results even when the photo doesn’t show everything I’d like it to. Lesson One: The more you know about bird … Read More
![Gifts for Bird Artists: The Definitive Guide [2020]](https://tarakatedesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/alex-iby-zWbSfYMHgpo-unsplash-1-800x600.jpg "Gifts for Bird Artists: The Definitive Guide [2020]")
What gift should you get for a bird artist? Whether the person on your list is a beginner or a seasoned professional, there’s something on this gift list that will make your bird-loving artist gasp with delight! And if you know a birder, you’re in luck—lots of these gifts will make a bird watcher happy, … Read More
As a bird artist, I am constantly trying to improve my understanding of how birds are put together! That’s because the better I know my subject, the more realistic my results. In this post, I show how varying the perspective on the bill can help you see the volume and complex shapes that are often … Read More
![10 Great Photos for Bird Artists [Wikimedia Commons]](https://tarakatedesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Swallow-tailed_bee-eater_Merops_hirundineus_chrysolaimus.jpg "10 Great Photos for Bird Artists [Wikimedia Commons]")
Hey there bird-loving artist! Did you know that there are hundreds of gorgeous photos of birds on Wikimedia Commons? And they are all free for you to use, although most require attribution to the photographer—a small price to pay. Here are ten of my favorites. I chose these images especially for bird artists based on … Read More