Drawing Birds

Drawing Birds is a two-part workshop series led by wildlife artist, birder, and naturalist Jack Hobe at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens in Chestnut Hill. The sessions focus on birds of prey: the first, Drawing Hawks in Flight, runs Saturday, November 7, from 12:30 to 2:30 PM; the second, How to Draw Owls, follows on Saturday, November 14, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

Both classes are part of the arboretum's Creative Expressions program, which pairs art-making with the natural world. Hobe draws on his dual background as a naturalist and an illustrator to lead the sessions, and since he's a birder himself, there's a good bit of birding knowledge woven into the drawing. You don't need any prior art experience to join, and all skill levels are welcome. You'll just need to bring your own sketchbook or paper, a pencil, and colored pencils or watercolors. If the weather holds, each class may end with an optional short walk for those comfortable sketching outdoors.

Between the two dates, you'll cover two very different ways of seeing birds: hawks in flight and owls. The first session is about movement and the open sky; the second is about the stillness and distinct shapes of owls. If you're a bird person, it's a chance to look closer at the things you usually only see from a distance. If you're just looking for a way to spend a Saturday afternoon in Chestnut Hill, it's a low-pressure way to get some drawing in. The sessions are Saturday, November 7, 12:30–2:30 PM and Saturday, November 14, 2:00–4:00 PM, both at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens.