Birds have been the study of many artists throughout history, most notably the artist John J. Audubon. Audubon was a renown ornithologist who became famous for his extensive study of North American birds and the detailed illustrations that depicted birds in their native habitat. His master work Birds of America is considered the greatest ornithological work ever created and lead to his fame. He was particularly famous in Europe and Scotland where he he traveled extensively while publishing his book, there he was revered as the “American Woodsman”.
Born in Haiti in 1785 he was the son of a french sailor. At an early age he was interested in birds, nature, drawing, painting, and music. In 1803, when he was 18, his father sent him to America to avoid the Napoleanic Wars and the Haitian Revolution of the late 1790’s. He lived for a while as a hunter and a woodsman, surviving with only a gun and his art supplies. Analyzing and painting hundreds of birds he published Birds of America. His name was an inspiration for the creation of the National Audubon Society, an organization that works to protect birds and their environment. Click here to view Birds of America.
Audubon’s Goldfinch
Audubon’s Cardinal
The following tutorials where adapted from the original site Vector Tuts and can be viewed using this link.
Bird Tutorial II – The Cardinal
Bird Tutorial III – The Goldfinch
Tutorial 4 & 5
The following tutorials where adapted from the original site Vector Tuts and can be viewed using this link.