The Natural Line: Wildlife Illustrations

In looking at my work, people often ask how I create it. The following is my attempt at explaining how my creative process works.

Step 1 - The Subject Birds inspire most of my pictures, but I also enjoy drawing other animals and plants. The idea for each picture usually begins with observing the animal in nature. I also collect foliage, bark, and rocks I might want to use in the finished picture. If I have the animal before me, I can just begin sketching from it. My preference is to work with the actual animals, either live, taxidermied, or frozen specimens, whenever possible. When I do not have the live animal to work from, I can use a series of my own photographs, or go to a museum and use taxidermied animals.
	Step 2 - The Sketch Once I have chosen a pose for the animal, I am ready to sketch. I need to be relatively detailed with the pencil in order to show each individual feather, so I know where to lay the ink. While making the sketch, I try to maintain the proportions of the plants and animals, that is, I like to draw them life size. I sometimes make things larger than they really are so as to be able to create a greater amount of detail.
Step 3 - The Ink Upon completing the sketch I add the ink using a Pigma Micron pen with a .005mm nib. I use the pencil lines as a guide, and add detail as I go along. The pigment usually covers the pencil completely, so there is no need to erase it. I use line work for things such as feathers and wood, and I use stippling (dots) for foliage, eyes, beaks, etc.
	Step 4 - The Color Whether to add color is always a difficult decision for me. Some of my pictures have so much detail in ink, that to add color would cover most, if not all, of the work. When I do decide to add color, it is always Windsor Newton translucent watercolors with lots of water. I always try to lay down just enough paint to give color, but not cover the ink. When I feel I have finished a picture, I set it aside and work on something else for a few days. After which, I can come back with fresh eyes and see if I need to retouch any areas. Each picture is a learning process for me, and I hope to always continue improving.
Step 5 - The Frame Once the picture is finished, I try to select a mat and frame that enhances the properties of the picture, without distracting from the main subject. I like to use wood frames for the colored pictures to maintain a natural feel, but I feel the unpainted work is more suited to black. I suspect it is a matter of preference.