Drawing Birds' Nests Using Pencils

Join this class to learn techniques for capturing the depth, texture, and intricate structure of nests as well as the polished smoothness of eggs. Use graphite or colored pencils alone or with watercolor to render these natural wonders. 

Students will complete a detailed study in pencil, and color will be added to all or parts of the composition.

Are materials provided and included in cost of the class? No.
Here's the material list:

• Paper: One 22”x30”sheet of Extra White or Traditional White 140lb Fabriano
• Artistico Hot Press (divided into four 15”x11” sheets)
• Tracing Paper: 11x14 pad of Canson Tracing Vellum
• Pencils: 2H, HB, and 9H wood graphite pencils 
  0.3 mm technical pencil filled with 2H graphite (Staedtler)
  0.3 mm technical pencil filled with H graphite (Staedtler)
• Graphite transfer paper made by Saral-be sure it is wax free
• Container to hold water
• Paper towels
• Palette for paints: small round porcelain palette with six wells (available through Dick Blick)
• Watercolor or Gouache: M. Graham & Co. in these colors:
  Cadmium Yellow
  Azo Yellow
  Cadmium Red Light
  Quinacridone Rose
  Phthalo Blue
  Ultramarine Blue 
  Or
• Daniele Smith Watercolors in these colors:
  Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue
  Lemon Yellow or Bismuth Vanadate Yellow
  Cadmium Red Medium Hue
  Quinacridone Rose
  Phthalo Blue (GS)
  French Ultramarine
  Or
• Winsor and Newton Watercolors in these colors:
  Cadmium Yellow
  Cadmium Lemon
  Cadmium Red
  Permanent Rose
  French Ultramarine
  Winsor Blue
• Watercolor brushes: There is no substitute for good quality brushes: use only Kolinsky sables
  Recommended brand: Raphael 8404 #2 and #4 (rounds)
  The Italian Art Store had good prices on brushes and paints.
• Colored Pencils (optional). If you own any colored pencils bring them. If you are going to purchase Faber-Castel is an excellent brand. Sets are available, but it is better to buy individual colors.

Here is a suggested range of colors:

• Cadmium yellow 107
• Cadmium yellow lemon 205
• Pale geranium lake 121 or deep scarlet red 219
• Middle purple pink 125
• Cobalt blue 143 or ultramarine 120
• Cobalt turquoise 155 or phthalo blue 110
• Chrome oxide green 278
• Red-violet 194
• Dark sepia 175
• Dark indigo 157
• Ivory 103
• Earth tones: burnt ochre 187, Venetian red 190, yellow ochre 183, burnt sienna 283

The above names and numbers refer to Faber-Castel pencils. Another brand such as Prismacolor or Derwent can be purchased, and they carry a similar range of colors. 

Make sure to buy artists’ grade pencils not student or school quality.

If you own a nest you would like to draw please bring it to class. Otherwise photographs can be used. Make sure your photographs are clear, large, and show as much detail as possible. 

The Internet is an excellent source for photographs. A lovely book is Nests by Sharon Beals, Chronicle Books, 2011

Resources for Art Materials (Stores in New York City):
Da Vinci Artist Supply
132 W. 21st (between 6th & 7th Ave.)
212-871-0220

East Side branch: 137 E. 23rd St.
212-982-8607

Dick Blick
1-5 Bond St.
212-533-2444

New York Central Art Supply
62 3rd Ave.
212-473-7705