The New Bird Drawing System

For years I have taught the same system to quickly sketch birds in the field. Over the last few months my approach has changed radically. I think I can now get you drawing better birds with fewer lines. This refined system will help you get the basic bird shapes with less trouble and will avoid some of the problem areas that grew out of the old system. So join me for this songbird sketching workshop and we will bust some crazy birds.

Пікірлер: 123

  • @amyvetter1830
    @amyvetter183018 сағат бұрын

    My poses were always off, this really helped!! Woot! I knew the angle was important. Wonderful workshop.

  • @suzanmarshall6968
    @suzanmarshall69682 жыл бұрын

    Incredible! I'm almost in tears from joy!

  • @bustavonnutz
    @bustavonnutz2 жыл бұрын

    Crazy how I've been using a version of this method for yeeears, but after taking Ornithology I realised that I really was only good at drawing Parrots and Falcons; I had no clue how to accurately draw other types of birds to put into my fieldguide. Passed the class and learned a ton, but this video is worth its weight in gold. Thank you for publically posting this.

  • @thissunchild
    @thissunchild Жыл бұрын

    Never been able to draw birds before studying the content of this video. John Muir Laws, from one teacher to another, you are a great teacher! From a Brit living in Denmark

  • @mirtilo
    @mirtilo3 жыл бұрын

    I'm about to watch 1 hour and a half of how to draw birds and nobody is going to stop me

  • @apcoronado

    @apcoronado

    3 жыл бұрын

    Same...

  • @magnanimus9692

    @magnanimus9692

    2 жыл бұрын

    You madman

  • @ralphacosta3891

    @ralphacosta3891

    2 жыл бұрын

    this is the comment that got me to subscribe...

  • @heaifnejeisowjafb3341

    @heaifnejeisowjafb3341

    Жыл бұрын

    i like birds

  • @dangerousfables

    @dangerousfables

    Ай бұрын

    I was distracted halfway though by the sound of a goldfinch in my garden. In only managed to momentarily delay me.

  • @sindykrish
    @sindykrish4 жыл бұрын

    Love it, love it, love it.... 90 minute lecture and I can already draw the birds!!! This has to be the best exercise ever!!!! Thank you, John for sharing your knowledge. Hope you are safe through these difficult times. Namaste from Norway

  • @oceansjenny
    @oceansjenny3 жыл бұрын

    This is gold!! Thank you John so much for providing so many of your wonderful teachings for free. My birds, all my nature drawings actually, have improved so much. So many others would charge and charge for internet sessions and fundamentals like these. You are a gift. And fun to watch! Thank you!!

  • @peggysnail4899
    @peggysnail48992 жыл бұрын

    This may be the best video I’ve ever seen and I’m only 27 min in. Thank you!!!! I’ve been needing this kind of breakdown!

  • @DebOb-tl7nn
    @DebOb-tl7nn3 ай бұрын

    I have your book but this method makes it so much easier to sketch a bird. Thank you.

  • @pame6954
    @pame69545 жыл бұрын

    Hi Jack! Wondering if you are thinking of possibly creating a downloadable PDF with just the changes (from the book) for those of us who have already purchased your book, so we can paste it into the pages of the book and be up to date with your teaching? Just a thought. Thanks for all you do for all of us!!!

  • @thesecretthirdthing
    @thesecretthirdthing4 жыл бұрын

    Holy cow, this is a lot of really good info. Thank you so much.

  • @PencilDrawingAcademy

    @PencilDrawingAcademy

    2 жыл бұрын

    thanks!

  • @kathleenalbright3908
    @kathleenalbright39085 жыл бұрын

    You are a talented and gifted teacher. Thanks for sharing this exceptional video with all of us artist wannabees.

  • @gordonhatusupy2224
    @gordonhatusupy22243 жыл бұрын

    John, these videos are pure gold!

  • @Naxovlc1
    @Naxovlc14 ай бұрын

    what an amazing teacher, I never thought I could do this!

  • @jcepri
    @jcepri4 ай бұрын

    Great video. I wish the drawing videos were on a separate channel so we don't have to wade through all the others. Not that they aren't interested, but drawing is a specific niche.

  • @Learnbhagwadgita
    @Learnbhagwadgita3 жыл бұрын

    Amazing video - hard to believe you put such a gold mine available for free for all.

  • @khartleyfletcher2129
    @khartleyfletcher21293 жыл бұрын

    Recently moved where there’s 100’s of birds in my yard - from quail to Cardinals- In just 2 videos I’ve learned so much “ I actually did pretty well- You are a great teacher - THANK-You!!🦜🦅🕊🐣Kate in AZ

  • @stephaniegarrelts
    @stephaniegarrelts Жыл бұрын

    This was awesome!

  • @oceaniccurrents
    @oceaniccurrents Жыл бұрын

    I’ve been drawing since the beginning of this month (oct ‘22) and have been doing at least one tutorial a day. This exercise really helped me get light and loose and I’m really happy with my sketches! 🙌🏻

  • @DanyPace
    @DanyPace Жыл бұрын

    Se nota cuando la gente siente pasión por lo que hace. Hermosa clase. Gracias

  • @margoguarinello7743
    @margoguarinello77433 жыл бұрын

    My drawing of birds is moving to a whole new level with your teaching. Thank you. Margo

  • @ruudvanveen428
    @ruudvanveen428 Жыл бұрын

    Thank You! Best (as well within mental context as in showing the way to grasp the bird in action/drawing) Video I've seen till so far!!

  • @alyxroche1049
    @alyxroche1049 Жыл бұрын

    Brilliant - thank you so much for this . I have always been terrible at drawing birds so this is so helpful.

  • @salauddeensyed5295
    @salauddeensyed52952 жыл бұрын

    a rare gem of a video lesson...Thank you very much John...

  • @m.i.miller8008
    @m.i.miller8008 Жыл бұрын

    WHAT AN AWESOME VIDEO... my drawing bird days of woe are almost over...now I just need to do the homework... thank you so very much for sharing this video.

  • @eileenanglace9024
    @eileenanglace90244 жыл бұрын

    Just discovered your book, (which I ordered from your website), videos, website. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  • @theresahall6815
    @theresahall6815 Жыл бұрын

    Simplification from observation quick layin technique works for all subjects. Thanks for this excellent video for fast moving birds!

  • @captkristipaints
    @captkristipaints2 жыл бұрын

    I am SO happy to have found this video!!! I have been using the "posture line" method and I laughed when the description of the bird hanging out past the "wall" because I struggle with NOT doing that. They often seem to be peering out over a ledge! It's such a simple change but will make a giant difference in my underdrawings before I watercolor. Thank you so very much!!

  • @Makbabe72
    @Makbabe72 Жыл бұрын

    You make the most enjoyable videos, I love seeing your art flourishing and always exploring!❤

  • @pumpkineater7916
    @pumpkineater79165 жыл бұрын

    John, thank you so much for your amazing lessons. I am sitting down here in Melbourne, Australia, drawing bird after bird. Your tips are so helpful! Don't know if I'll ever be fast enough to catch a drawing from a real moving Aussie bird, but I'll give it a try! I'm hoping you will post your super long detailed lesson about beaks and eyes and things soon. :) Thank you for sharing your talent with the world. Worth every minute watching these.

  • @readwithme2023

    @readwithme2023

    2 жыл бұрын

    ~

  • @kristieprice6698
    @kristieprice66982 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge & insight! You are a remarkable teacher. I am brand new to bird sketching and my drawings have significantly improved with your teaching video and practice exercises.

  • @robotplant5260
    @robotplant52603 жыл бұрын

    What an incredible workshop. I learned so much.

  • @coloraddiction
    @coloraddiction9 ай бұрын

    Today I learned that learning how to draw squirmy (flittery?) animals even though I plan on referencing photos makes for adhd friendly (and generally efficient) sketching. Also, birbs! 🥰🦜

  • @greggillson388
    @greggillson3885 жыл бұрын

    I started this technique a few months ago when you showed it in one of your videos. Like it better than the two circle method of before. However, I draw angle of crown and nape, then down the back. That helps me place and size the head better.

  • @bonnietoney4200
    @bonnietoney4200 Жыл бұрын

    This is so helpful.

  • @SpiriTracE
    @SpiriTracE5 жыл бұрын

    I'm sitting here at home trying both old and new methods back to back. The new method seems very similar to drawing mammals by finding the back angle, and it seems to be easier to find the head. But I still felt faster and more accurate with the old method. I think it has to do with finding the body proportion slightly sooner, since that makes it easier to find the upper chest angle (for me). For some reason, doing the reverse makes it more difficult for me to find the body proportion. So I just started trying a hybrid of the 2 methods, where I start with the back angle for the gesture, then place the head and loose body. This was the most accurate while still feeling the comfort of the old method. (not that I've tried drawing in the quick pace of nature yet). Anyway, thank you for the video. I look forward to practicing.

  • @pagodrink
    @pagodrink3 жыл бұрын

    I've been drawing since I was a pre-teen and I found how you describe how to find an angle 21:50 really helpful when I'm drawing from references.

  • @patriciagodlewski7473
    @patriciagodlewski74739 ай бұрын

    Wonderful anatomical news but the picture has to talk of a background for us to see the angles of the head neck

  • @carrtje01
    @carrtje015 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for another great video!

  • @kerrylattimore2684
    @kerrylattimore26845 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic. This is a great addition to our book. Thank you.

  • @user-xh9om4rw8e
    @user-xh9om4rw8e2 ай бұрын

    Thank you so much for this very well explained workshop

  • @gjuliansumner3835
    @gjuliansumner38355 жыл бұрын

    Great lecture John ,certainly inspirational .

  • @christorietas
    @christorietas3 жыл бұрын

    I love the workshop! Very fun and helpful, thank you so much for uploading it!

  • @elizabethbelloperez2344
    @elizabethbelloperez23442 жыл бұрын

    I love how you teach. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

  • @elizzievb
    @elizzievb3 жыл бұрын

    Such a great workshop! This teacher is just fabulous! Looking forward to more instruction. Already learned SO many helpful points. Wow, thank you Mr. Laws.

  • @jonacosta9273
    @jonacosta92734 жыл бұрын

    This video is amazing. Thank you so much for posting this...a revelation for sure!

  • @rosarioherrera-naranjo8250
    @rosarioherrera-naranjo82503 жыл бұрын

    Love this! Great technique and easy to follow, thank you for sharing.

  • @debragallardo5754
    @debragallardo57543 жыл бұрын

    I really enjoyed the workshop. Thank you!

  • @paulglobus9999
    @paulglobus9999 Жыл бұрын

    Your explanations are superb. Birds are such beautiful, varied and fascinating subjects. When I first starting drawing as kid, many decades ago, birds were my favorite subject. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and techniques. You have really succeeded in opening my eyes. Be well.

  • @leonylopez4604
    @leonylopez46045 жыл бұрын

    I love your birds. I have a few in my paped pad pages. Thank you, Mr. Muir Laws.

  • @jessicabrighenti6055
    @jessicabrighenti60555 жыл бұрын

    Thanks John, I've recently started birdwatching and I wanted to learn how to draw birds, and I found your book you show in this video. Thanks so much for this amazing lesson, I will start drawing birds following your precious suggestions. Wooooop!!

  • @emdomgab
    @emdomgab3 жыл бұрын

    This was so interesting and useful. You explain things so clearly. Thanks!

  • @SB-qs9zu
    @SB-qs9zu3 жыл бұрын

    Super helpful and great tips! Thanks so much for sharing. Love your drawings.

  • @Mattypantaloons
    @Mattypantaloons Жыл бұрын

    Cool method and great teacher. I'm a believer.

  • @onnivainio6261
    @onnivainio62615 жыл бұрын

    Matt Damon with Will Ferrell voice drawing birds, for reals really cool !!

  • @franciscohilal9923

    @franciscohilal9923

    4 жыл бұрын

    I've tought the same! Jajajaja thank you Matt!

  • @irwintatyana9066
    @irwintatyana90664 жыл бұрын

    You are a genius.Great Teaching skills

  • @floratan2890
    @floratan28905 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing these classes! Another invaluable one! So helpful and useful. I saw an improvement in my birds right away!

  • @Shatril1

    @Shatril1

    5 жыл бұрын

    Flora Tan Is

  • @mariadefatimaazevedo6560

    @mariadefatimaazevedo6560

    3 жыл бұрын

    The best instructions on drawing birds I've ever seen. Thanks so very much for this wonderful lecture. Many many thanks from very far in Brazil. Stay safe. 🌼🌿🌺⛄🌱🐦🦜

  • @mariadefatimaazevedo6560

    @mariadefatimaazevedo6560

    3 жыл бұрын

    The snowman was supposed to be another bird . I clicked the wrong ícon 😊

  • @marioreyes6845
    @marioreyes68454 жыл бұрын

    you are the best! saludos desde Honduras.

  • @lisasachleben1655
    @lisasachleben16552 жыл бұрын

    You are so good at explaining! Thanks for these awesome videos, \

  • @teatime009
    @teatime0092 жыл бұрын

    this is such a great exercise for urban sketching!

  • @kingfisherdesignsmetals
    @kingfisherdesignsmetals Жыл бұрын

    Wow! This is fantastic.

  • @ranjanachand9306
    @ranjanachand93063 жыл бұрын

    Amazing.. It learns so easily... Definite improvement in my bird Sketch. Thanks

  • @miguel23061959
    @miguel2306195910 ай бұрын

    Thank you. Fun and usefulll

  • @CCLinGameOnABC
    @CCLinGameOnABC3 жыл бұрын

    Excellent tutorial with effective and applicable observation and drawing skills for realistic birds’ drawings!

  • @x8jersey8x
    @x8jersey8x5 күн бұрын

    Awesome

  • @PurringMyrrh
    @PurringMyrrh2 жыл бұрын

    Really fantastic and learned a lot! You present the info very well. Will be doing a lot more "Woo!"ing in the near future! ♡

  • @ginabadeaux9319
    @ginabadeaux9319 Жыл бұрын

    i love birds and roses thank you

  • @joebryantlaguerder1606
    @joebryantlaguerder16065 жыл бұрын

    Keep up good work 😊

  • @menakahiremath5873
    @menakahiremath58732 жыл бұрын

    Thank you thank you so much sir!!! Love from India!! ❤️ Really very very useful for beginners!!🙏

  • @Dweck2002
    @Dweck20024 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant.

  • @maryalgar8779
    @maryalgar87795 жыл бұрын

    I bought your bird book a while back. I thought it was the "Bird Bible". Have to retrain myself :) Thanks for this great video.

  • @dafbn8
    @dafbn84 жыл бұрын

    Hi there. You know I'm often watching demo drawing or painting but it is the first time I guess that I post a comment and this one is for you so : "thanks a lot mister !". I usually draw portraits and I've really learned something else which will help me with the reilly method. Some years ago I've read "draw with your right brain" I was fascinated but apparently I forgot. So WHOOP this come again.

  • @Fadiyra2319
    @Fadiyra23193 жыл бұрын

    that was fun!

  • @terryadamson8447
    @terryadamson84474 жыл бұрын

    I have recently gotten into birding and wanted to draw them to learn more about their structure, unfortunately my drawing skill are limited at best. However, having found this video, I believe that I will eventually be able to draw birds with enough accuracy to be able to learn more about them. As others have said, I may never be fast enough to do this in the field but I can make drawings that help me to learn their key features and build up a visual dictionary which I am sure will help with identifying birds. Thank you for sharing your expertise. This is an example of the best of the internet. I would be interested to know if you have an book or eBook detailing your approach. I would definitely purchase it.

  • @mariarossi3558

    @mariarossi3558

    4 жыл бұрын

    Wonderfull and simply explanation to get courage to do it !!! Thankyou !!

  • @leonylopez4604
    @leonylopez46045 жыл бұрын

    Hello, John Muir Laws. It is a great thing for me to learn how to draw birds, fishes, nature. I have a few birds drawn by me

  • @marceymanning9059
    @marceymanning90595 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the update. For me it seems intuitively easier using your new method.

  • @antaresmidway617

    @antaresmidway617

    5 жыл бұрын

    Marcey Manning Same...me too.

  • @PencilDrawingAcademy
    @PencilDrawingAcademy2 жыл бұрын

    love it !

  • @Captain_MonsterFart
    @Captain_MonsterFart2 жыл бұрын

    The dark blue Col-Erase pencils are good too; animators draw with them. People also will not notice the blue once graphite is drawn over top. And you'll actually be able to see your drawing.

  • @Sp000ny
    @Sp000ny4 жыл бұрын

    Thankyou!!

  • @leonylopez4604
    @leonylopez46045 жыл бұрын

    I am doing it! I just will look for my blue pencil.

  • @dijosephine9556
    @dijosephine95568 ай бұрын

    Very helpful,thank you. How do I decide how big I won’t to draw the bird. 👍

  • @eyeonart6865
    @eyeonart68654 жыл бұрын

    I feel a new book coming out

  • @Analuisardh
    @Analuisardh2 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic drawing lesson! Your creativity in your teaching is unique and quite effective. “Pat the bird.” Outstanding! And I still have 40 minutes to go…

  • @rosajudithhaller2493
    @rosajudithhaller24933 ай бұрын

    Hello I have 3 of your books and have been watching these videos. Do you have a pdf of with the new instructions that we could print and add to our book? Thank you so much for these amazing classes.

  • @PinturasOjosvemos
    @PinturasOjosvemos4 жыл бұрын

    Super

  • @colinreid325
    @colinreid3252 жыл бұрын

    My wife took me to the birth place of John Muir in Dunbar. ♥️

  • @leonylopez4604
    @leonylopez46045 жыл бұрын

    I want to have the fundamentals. I guess your book is in the art stores, and bookstores in some states. Leonora

  • @gsmartsdecorationgsmuruges999
    @gsmartsdecorationgsmuruges9992 жыл бұрын

    Good

  • @studio_guing
    @studio_guing Жыл бұрын

    whooping all the way... LOL!

  • @eyeonart6865
    @eyeonart68654 жыл бұрын

    iIt is harder to unlearn something than to learn something new. I would like an option to buy his bird book on a kindle download, to take on the road.

  • @Vonmusikstein
    @Vonmusikstein5 жыл бұрын

    Matt Damon drawing birds

  • @onnivainio6261

    @onnivainio6261

    5 жыл бұрын

    He sounds like Will Ferrell 😂😂

  • @jjp7914
    @jjp79144 жыл бұрын

    I'm trying to paint a sandpiper on a 11x14 canvas...now I want the bird to stand out more than the scenery. Because it's a tiny bird,im having trouble scaling him much bigger. Any suggestions?

  • @clove3130
    @clove3130 Жыл бұрын

    I was about to comment that I feel like I get my proportions wildly wrong using this technique…then 17:12 happened and it clicked why.

  • @danielcordosi3870
    @danielcordosi38702 жыл бұрын

    Is the new revised edition of your book available?

  • @patriciagodlewski7473
    @patriciagodlewski74739 ай бұрын

    It depends on the lightness of the Bird 2

  • @SusanMJB45
    @SusanMJB455 жыл бұрын

    Uh oh....... I just stumbled on this video on the VERY DAY that your book "the Laws Guide to Drawing Birds" is supposed to arrive in my mailbox. Help..... as a beginner, should I follow this video first and then follow the book? How much of the book does this new method replace? I'm guessing that most of the book is still relevant i.e. developing powers of observation, using various media, etc. Comments anyone? John ???

  • @artcanchangetheworld5347
    @artcanchangetheworld53473 жыл бұрын

    Do you have any written instruction regarding this bird drawing system?

  • @ordinaryextraordinary9484
    @ordinaryextraordinary94842 жыл бұрын

    Birds really be named shit like “Red Hotbreasted MILF” and no one is acknowledging it

  • @35jopa
    @35jopa4 жыл бұрын

    Must you stand in front of a sport light?!?

  • @danakolpin1289
    @danakolpin12893 жыл бұрын

    Where can I purchase your book on drawing birds? I am a beginner to watercolor and want to paint birds