Hummingbird Gesture Drawings

These two minute drawings were done with a 5B pencil from photos I have of my hummers. 

While searching online today for gesture drawing information, I came across  Kimon Nicolaides' book, "The Natural Way to Draw" . The introductory caption there reads; "The key to gesture drawing is speed. Work fast and trust your instincts. Practice holding the  charcoal loosely between your thumb and index finger."

Advice From Leonardo da Vinci

Advice From Leonardo da Vinci

"You should often amuse yourself when you are out for recreation, in watching and taking note of the attitudes and actions of people as they talk and dispute, or laugh or come to blows with one another... noting these down with rapid strokes, in a little pocket-book which you ought to always carry with you." ~ Leonardo da Vinci

I've taken to carrying my little pocket sketch pad with me when I go out. I drew this diagram while riding in the car today. I am currently re-reading a book from college, "The Natural Way To Draw". It's a wonderful book that I highly recommend to serious students of drawing. Nicolaides' formula for the human figure is notated here.