I want advice for sketching my parrot

[gwennadf]

Hey everyone,

I started sketching my parrot but I am struggling with getting the feathers to look right. No matter how much I try, they either look too stiff or just such as random lines. I want to capture the soft, layered look but shading & texture are throwing me off.

Does anyone have tips on how to make feathers look more natural? Are there any techniques, certain pencil strokes or shading tricks, that work well? Also, if anyone knows of good tutorials . I want suggestion.

I was reading about the history of generative AI & it got me wondering if AI tools could help with learning better drawing techniques. Has anyone here tried using AI for art references or practice?

I am using regular graphite pencils but I am open to trying colored pencils or even digital art if that helps. Also i have check this article and resorse https://www.parrotforums.com/threads/so-i-decided-to-try-and. If Any advice from fellow artists would be super appreciated!

Thank you..

 

[wrench13]

Painstaking devotion to capturing each detail, ie art. Like learning to master a musical instrument - there is no substitute for dedication.

 

[Thehuffle]

Have you tried drawing the base feathers almost in a curvy line and adding some cross hatching inside of the feathers? It works for me with drawing quakers, budgies and conures, etc. but it mostly depends on the parrot you are drawing but also the art style.
Hope this helps!

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

HOW THE HECK did I miss this thread? OY! Anyways, I'm here and gonna respond with a DeviantArt tutorial.

https://www.deviantart.com/beckykidus/art/How-to-draw-feathers-feather-texture-885308905

Not sure if that's what you aimed for or not. And I just discovered I'v been drawing feathers wrong, LOL!!

 

[clark_conure]

Just a thought, draw them like lightning bolts like a pickachu tail..... it's art. I bet it wit be more sticking and artistic. Capturing a birds wing is kind of impossible but an an artist expression of the wing with jagged lines and attitude. That is interesting. Just a thought.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I may be the rogue here, buttt...
I have a small eBay gallery where I offer portraits of people and pets...
Sometimes people want absolute realism, but sometimes I offer unique, stylized, personalized styles... and people are delighted.
Realism is fine but sometimes your own original perception/interpretation is even better.
Experiment! Have fun!

 

[Foxqlove]

I wouldn’t recdomend using AI for reference. It can’t layer feathers right and mixes species a lot. I’d say just reference parrots in different poses and sketch. Doesn’t have to be perfect, but eventually, the way their bodies work will become second nature to draw

 

[Foxqlove]

Also, don’t start with all our detail feathers. I start with just a light pencil sketch and separating different sections of feathers because the feather texture varies on the body.