An eagle coming in to land

Detailed graphite drawing of an eagle landing with raised wings, layered feathers, fanned tail and forward-reaching talons on textured paper. Lay in the body axis, raised wing bones and fanned tail.

A way into the drawing

1. Establish the construction

   Lay in the body axis, raised wing bones and fanned tail.

2. Resolve the main structure

   Build the layered wing feathers from shoulder to tip and place the forward feet.

3. Develop the detail

   Shape the hooked beak and curved talons, checking both sides of the pose.

4. Control the values

   Group the feather shadows and reserve highlights across the upper wings.

A small thing to tryFollow the wing joints before repeating individual feather shapes.