Join John Muir Laws and special guest Peter Hart to explore how to better use photographs to inform bird illustrations. We will use Peter’s photo collection to sample birds and build an original drawing. Peter encourages artists to use his work as reference in their drawings. Let’s meet the photographer behind the collection.

Meet Peter E. Hart

Peter slouched out of a high tech career and into birding about 20 years ago, thereby earning the label of  “Late adult onset birder”. In 2020, when the full impact of COVID became evident, he and his wife, Diane, needed a new project that got them out of the house and kept them away from people.  He followed Diane’s thought leadership, and started a project to create a photographic record of the avifauna found on lands that have been protected to preserve habitat and to enable public access. This ongoing project has produced their archival website, Birds of Protected Lands.  It currently holds 4,800 of Peter’s photos, representing 250 species from 54 avian families.  The photos were taken at some 75 locations, almost all in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

All ages and experience levels are welcome. No registration is necessary.

Suggested donation: $20. Your donation helps support me and my family. Your generosity is deeply appreciated and it makes an immediate difference in my ability to continue to offer these programs. Your donation is tax-deductible. Click here to donate. If you are not able to donate at this time, no problem–please continue to enjoy the classes and find another way to pay it forward in your community with acts of kindness and service. Thank you!

If you are new to Zoom or are having trouble with the meeting controls, please see these notes and suggestions on Zoom Tips for Online Classes with John Muir Laws to help you get more out of the online workshop. When possible I will also make a recording of the workshop and post it on my blog. I look forward to seeing you there!

Bring

• Your Journal and favorite drawing materials. Taking notes while you watch and participate will help you remember the new techniques and incorporate them into your journaling.
• Your sense of humor!