Sketching Neotropical Birds is a course that covers many families of birds common in Central and South America.
In this course, you'll learn just as much about the biology, ecology, and anatomy of Neotropical birds as you do about how to draw them!
Your instructor, Christine Elder, is a naturalist and biological illustrator who's traveled extensively from Mexico to Peru and the Caribbean to the Galapagos Islands to share what she's learned about these birds through her field observations and nature journals.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Bird Families You'll Learn About in this Course
This course includes recordings of a series of live workshops Christine has presented from 2019-2022 that feature families which are primarily or exclusively found in the neotropics such as:
- Quetzals
- Trogons
- Tanagers
- Cotingas
- Motmots
- Manakins
- Hummingbirds
- Parrots
- Toucans
- Antpittas
- Curassows
You'll also learn about families well-represented in the Neotropics including:
- Raptors
- Vultures
- Albatrosses
- Flamingos
- Flycatchers
- Orioles
- Finches
- Kingfishers
- Woodpeckers
Workshops average 90 minutes and introduce the basic biology, ecology, and anatomy of each family of birds followed by a step-by-step drawing demonstration of a selected member of the family.
INCLUDES CHRISTINE'S TROPICAL BIRDS COLORING BOOK
"As a beginning birder, learning more about birds and how to draw them has deepened my experience. As an artist, her supportive teaching style has really improved my drawing skills. Her courses have given me real confidence. I really can't recommend Christine enough. Beyond that, her classes are fun and something I really look forward to as she delights me with the natural world.”
- Heather Crellin
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Course Curriculum
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PreviewAccipiters and the Harpy Eagle (83:56)
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StartAlbatross and Boobies Workshop (77:15)
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StartAntpittas; Family Grallariidae (93:38)
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StartCotingas; Family Cotingidae (65:42)
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StartCurassows; Family Cracidae (90:20)
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StartFinch Family Workshop (113:17)
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StartFlamingo Family Workshop (88:30)
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StartHummingbird Family Introduction and Green-crowned Brilliant Demo (58:58)
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StartHummingbird Workshop: Streamertail and Bee Hummers
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StartIcterid Family Workshop (72:28)
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StartKingfishers; Family Alcedinidae (100:23)
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StartManakins; Family Pipridae (81:44)
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StartMotmots; Family Momotidae (79:13)
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StartParrot Family Psittacidae, Macaws (100:23)
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StartParrot Workshop (BirdsCaribbean Event 2020) (111:23)
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PreviewQuetzals; Family Trogonidae (68:38)
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StartStripe-headed Tanagers (Spindalidae Family) (75:47)
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StartTanagers; Family Thraupidae (86:06)
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StartToucan Family Workshop; Keel-billed Toucan (88:36)
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StartToucan Family Workshop; Collared Aracari (43:07)
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StartTyrant Flycatchers; Family Tyrannidae (74:06)
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StartVulture Family (Black Vulture) (60:34)
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StartVulture Family Workshop (Egyptian Vulture)
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PreviewVulture Workshop (King Vulture) (88:58)
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StartWoodpecker Family; West Indian Woodpecker Workshop
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StartWoodpecker Family Picidae (Lineated Woodpecker) (101:18)
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StartPenguin Workshop (72:30)
"Christine helped me to become more confident and excited about drawing birds. As a big-picture ecologist, I’ve thoroughly loved getting back into the habit of slowing down and focusing on the smaller details. I feel like I’ve become a better artist AND a better biologist! Plus, Christine’s videos are very approachable, educational, and fun"
- Nicole Weprin
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"Christine Elder is a great teacher as you feel she is talking to YOU even though it is all online right now. It is non-threatening for a beginner like me who until recently was scared by a blank sheet of paper. What is especially wonderful is that thanks to Christine’s teaching and guidance I pay more attention to everything in nature, I notice more details... a delightful progression from looking with binoculars, to taking photos and making video clips, and now drawing and even painting. The world has become bigger, more beautiful, and more interesting. "
- Charlotte Elton
Your Instructor
Hummingbirds Are My Passion!
I've been lucky to observe and sketch dozens of species of hummingbirds throughout the Americas, from Streamertails in Jamaica, Swordbilled Hummingbirds in Ecuador, and Shining Sunbeams in Peru to the Anna's hummingbirds that grace me with their presence in my own backyard!
I love helping people discover how easy, fun, and satisfying it is to sketch and paint the natural world.
I’ve taught sketching courses for over two decades, both as local classes and abroad at festivals and conferences in the U.S., Jamaica, Mexico, and Honduras.
I can proudly say that my students routinely tell me, “This is the best drawing I’ve ever done!”
As a professional biological illustrator, I’ve worked on numerous projects for books, magazines, scientists, and museums.
I’ve also led international nature sketching holidays to such exotic locales as Mexico and Honduras.
My favorite media include pencil, pen, watercolor, and gouache. I also enjoy digital art techniques using my Cintiq tablet.
My formal education includes Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in biology as well as a graduate certificate in scientific illustration.
I reside in central Oregon, where I love to hike, ride horses, and take my nature journal into the mountains where I love to sketch and paint the wildflowers, birds, and mammals I see..
“Christine is such a wonderful teacher. She knows her field really well and is very generous with her time and information. Her classes are top of the line and so much fun.”
—Lorna Cahall, student
Frequently Asked Questions
My Guarantee
If you’re not completely satisfied, I offer an unconditional 14-day money-back guarantee. However, I do hope that you’ll first watch some of the workshops and try the sketching exercises before you decide that it wasn’t worth the money you paid.
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