A perched kingfisher

A study of a perched kingfisher in profile with a long straight bill, pale throat, selected feather groups and a short twig on textured paper. Mark the long bill and compact head before blocking in the rounded torso.

A way into the drawing

1. Establish the main forms

   Mark the long bill and compact head before blocking in the rounded torso.

2. Build the structure

   Lay the folded wing across the back, place the short tail, and show one foot gripping the twig. The far foot can remain hidden.

3. Develop selected details

   Separate the pale throat from darker head and wing groups, then add selected feather divisions.

A small thing to tryMeasure the bill against the head before committing to its tip.