The only way I’m going to get a Pine Siskin in my yard…

…is if I draw one and tie it to a branch with a string!

Oooh…look! A Pine Siskin at Kelly’s house!

So yesterday, after completing my second day of backyard bird counting, I grabbed my colored pencils and drew one.

I always begin my paintings or drawings 

with a very light pencil sketch.

Since I’m using colored pencils for 

this study, the next thing I do is map 

in the darks. I leave the whitest areas blank 

(just like with a watercolor).

Then I start layering in color 

(again, pretty much like a watercolor).

Finally, I start burnishing and 

adding finishing touches. 

Yes, I promise I won’t count this Pine Siskin in the Great Backyard Bird Count going on this weekend!

…I bet I’m going to have to draw that Common Redpoll and the Rufous-sided (I mean Eastern) Towhee also because they certainly aren’t flocking to my yard now!