A Bird Perched on a Branch with Fruit
1464
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1464
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a bird with sharp feathers and a curved beak, gripping a thin branch. The bird’s wings are slightly spread, and its tail feathers fan out behind it. The branch it perches on holds a few small shapes that look like fruit. The artist used quick, precise lines to show the bird’s feathers and texture. The shading is light but detailed, giving the bird a sense of depth. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with layers of lines.
