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 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 Birds
Botanical Illustrations with Birds
The Goldfinch
Tutorial – The Goldfinch Form
Tutorial – The Goldfinch Patterns
The Nuthatch
Tutorial – The Nuthatch Form
Tutorial – The Nuthatch Details
The Bluebird
Tutorial | Bluebird
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Student Works
Tutorial – Cardinal Shapes
Tutorial – Goldfinch Shapes
Cedar Waxwing
Image Source: Glenn Bartley/Vireo, Audubon, http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/cedar-waxwing
Blue Jay
King Fisher
Image Source: Belted Kingfisher male on his fishing perch, (Ceryle Alcyon); Tuthill, SD; September Image Link: http://www.audubon.org/sites/default/files/Belted%2520Kingfisher%2520w30-1-033_l.jpg
King Fisher
Image Courtesy, Lucus Bobay, Ringed Kingfisher, http://birdingwithbobay.blogspot.com/2014/04/birding-tortuguero.html Image Link: Lucas Bobay http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22dU8dTdWKc/U1RkWQl2niI/AAAAAAAAAvU/J9VcKqUx4I0/s1600/RIKI.jpg
Baltimore Oriole
Image Source: Brian E. Small/Vireo,http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/baltimore-oriole Image Source: http://www.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/hero_cover_bird_page/public/Baltimore%20Oriole%20s52-11-018_V.jpg?itok=bhtAnxZp
