How to paint a Slate-colored Junco step-by-step

I have received  a lot of requests for more step by step illustration demonstrations. In this one I have emphasized the pencil technique that gives the bird texture. Note the direction of the pencil strokes. I stroke each feather group separately, indicating the direction the the feathers lay. I cross hatch these strokes with lines that show the edges of the rows of feathers. If you are going to see the pencil strokes, have a reason behind the lines.