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Goshawk — Basic Wing Tutorial

Published: 2008-01-09 04:34:09 +0000 UTC; Views: 14595; Favourites: 238; Downloads: 0
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Description People have been bugging me to do this for ages, and I finally got around to it. There's so much more I could have said, but I decided to try and keep it simple.

Those "pile-of-fluff" wings annoy the hell out of me... but then I am a bird fanatic and study bird anatomy. Still, I think that having a good understanding of bird anatomy is necessary for drawing wings; it looks good and makes you look knowledgeable.

A couple of links to help you out:
coloured map of wing feathers: [link]
amazing wing photo collection: [link]

Good luck! Remember - it's taken me, what, almost six years to get this good at wings? And I'm still not prefect... folded wings and certain angles still give me all kinds of Hell. You're not going to draw perfect wings on your first try unless you're copying a photo - and no, I don't use photos references except on very rare occasions when I need to know how certain things fold.
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Comments: 53

Goshawk In reply to ??? [2010-04-02 18:32:59 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I'm glad you think it's helpful. I'm considering doing a new version with more anatomy stuff now that I have an actual ornithology textbook to reference.
I look forward to seeing more wing stuff from you!

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gweenypig48 [2009-12-25 20:04:34 +0000 UTC]

I've used your tutorial here: [link]

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Goshawk In reply to gweenypig48 [2009-12-26 02:15:20 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for showing me! It's great to see what people have made using my tutorial.

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drift-Angel [2008-11-19 12:38:23 +0000 UTC]

can I please have permission to post this tutorial in sigresource.com? with a link back to your DA?

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Goshawk In reply to drift-Angel [2008-11-19 17:28:36 +0000 UTC]

I'd prefer if you posted just the link to my tutorial and not the full picture. I'm... not really comfortable with my resources being posted on other sites.

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drift-Angel In reply to Goshawk [2008-11-20 06:48:06 +0000 UTC]

ok hun i assure you .. no intention of piracy at all you also see that I have gained permission from other DA users as well and providing DA profile link

but I will do as requested

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Goshawk In reply to drift-Angel [2008-11-20 08:25:35 +0000 UTC]

I'm sure you have no intention of piracy, I'm just paranoid.
Thank you!

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drift-Angel In reply to Goshawk [2008-11-20 21:45:50 +0000 UTC]

I understand .. you want me to give u the link to the post?

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Goshawk In reply to drift-Angel [2008-11-21 04:47:54 +0000 UTC]

That would be nice.

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Oryx-the-Bein [2008-01-11 02:23:39 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, this is really helpful and informative. I was wondering if you had any good link to sites on being a falconer? I just always found it interest in birds.

I was actually reading about working with golden eagle a while ago, I heard it was really dangerous unless you're really good because they can unpredictable. I don't know if thats true or not though!

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Goshawk In reply to Oryx-the-Bein [2008-01-11 18:23:21 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome! [link] This is an excellent website that covers many aspects of falconry. Also, check your state's wildlife/parks/game agency for their falconry regulations as well as the US Fish and Wildlife service. Falconry is extremely time consuming, so I don't suggest taking it up unless you've done a lot of research. Hell, I've done a ton of research and I'm still not ready to get my permits.

Working with golden eagles is extremely dangerous. They can kill you. You really have to know what you're doing.

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Hiidama [2008-01-09 21:30:42 +0000 UTC]

u r giving me hope i have to practice if i want to draw amazing animals lol..lets start drawing!

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Goshawk In reply to Hiidama [2008-01-10 03:04:33 +0000 UTC]

That's how you get better!

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scarlettfoxx [2008-01-09 17:33:18 +0000 UTC]

w00t! You did it ^_^ Now I can point folks to this if they need help (not to mention I could use a refresher every now and then)

I tried my best on that Corvus thing...but I got really effing tired and there was such a small portion of his wings I was drawing so....It's not bad, better than most could do at this stage in the game. Its awesome you should see it...

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Goshawk In reply to scarlettfoxx [2008-01-09 18:17:44 +0000 UTC]

Yep. Your nagging won out. lol
Can't wait to see him..... I hate shading the lesser coverts, so it's okay if you got lazy.

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scarlettfoxx In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-09 22:34:43 +0000 UTC]

I did hah and for people like us its not that great but you'll like what I added in the background.

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Goshawk In reply to scarlettfoxx [2008-01-10 03:05:02 +0000 UTC]

Added? ........ *curious*

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GazTV-inc [2008-01-09 16:10:24 +0000 UTC]

Interesting...
I did wonder if the prmary esction of the wing was the equivalent of the human hand. Now I know.

I don't spend a lot of time looking at birds.
For obvious reasons.
Thanks for the Tutorial.
It may come in handy one day.
(does this Tut apply to chicken wings?)

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Goshawk In reply to GazTV-inc [2008-01-09 18:16:24 +0000 UTC]

Yep, it is.

lol No problem!
Yeah, it applies to all bird wings. The first link I put in my description is actually a chicken wing.

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GazTV-inc In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-09 19:39:45 +0000 UTC]

I didn't check the links.
Sorry.
Heh.

My GF likes chickens.
She wants us to keep them as pets one day.
One day I'll have to ween myself onto the idea of handling a bird.
One day.

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GazTV-inc In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-09 19:38:37 +0000 UTC]

I didn't check the links.
Sorry.
Heh.

My GF likes chickens.
She wants us to keep them as pets one day.
One day I'll have to ween myself onto the idea of handkling a bird.
One day.

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Goshawk In reply to GazTV-inc [2008-01-10 03:07:06 +0000 UTC]

Bad boy! They're very helpful.

She likes chickens?!
Those birds are really stupid... and messy. And loud...
*imagines Gaz handling chickens* lol......
Meanwhile, I'll be a falconer handling birds of prey that can rip your spine out. Have I mentioned that I want to fly a golden eagle someday?

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GazTV-inc In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-10 06:36:34 +0000 UTC]

But apparently quite affectionate.
I dunno about loud.
If you avoid getting Leghorns they're not so bad.
And we all know roosters are pro-active anyway.

You can't fly on a golden eagle... can you?

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Goshawk In reply to GazTV-inc [2008-01-10 15:10:34 +0000 UTC]

Affectionate? Since when? Must be a type of chicken I haven't met.
You mean spurs? Those things are vicious...

No, silly. I'm talking about falconry. When a falconer says they fly a bird, it means they've hunted with that bird. Do you know anything about falconry, or is everything I'm saying new to you?

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GazTV-inc In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-11 02:23:36 +0000 UTC]

Fuck Spurs...
x_x
Ugh...

I dunno my brain hurts and I think theres still quite a fair bit Don't know about falconry.

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Goshawk In reply to GazTV-inc [2008-01-11 18:26:48 +0000 UTC]

Well, falconry did originate in Europe and was popular in Britain. I know that you Brits don't have to go through all the licensing and paperwork we Americans have to in order to do falconry. I always laugh when I see a British falconer flying a Harris's Hawk.... because they're from here, not Europe. lol And yet they're so popular in British falconry... Have I ever mentioned that you Brits are hilarious?

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GazTV-inc In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-12 02:01:39 +0000 UTC]

Lots of people find us hilarious.
Not that I fully understand why.
¬_¬
I dunno why it should be any easier for us to manhandle protected/endangered species wether birds of Prey or not.

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Goshawk In reply to GazTV-inc [2008-01-12 03:08:35 +0000 UTC]

Brits have a very dry and witty sense of humour. I enjoy that type of humour.
We have something called the Migratory Bird Act, which protects all migratory birds, not just endangered birds, though those are protected even more heavily. There are buttloads of permitting and paperwork involved... But Britain doesn't have a Migratory Bird Act or equivalent. So you can have a bird of prey just like a pet. How wise that is, though...

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GazTV-inc In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-12 07:16:33 +0000 UTC]

Dry, perhaps. Yes.
Some would say it's kind of "dead pan" I dunno.
Anyway I agree.

I'm sure the RSPB would get involved if a wild bird, protected by migration or the endangered species list regardless. It's unlawful as far as anyones concerned.

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Goshawk In reply to GazTV-inc [2008-01-14 00:38:03 +0000 UTC]

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds or something like that, right? I've been on their website. I read somewhere that, if the bird isn't endangered, you could keep it like a pet and go on your merry falconer way without a license. Maybe the laws have changed...

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GazTV-inc In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-15 03:05:56 +0000 UTC]

Well most Birds of Prey are protected species.
Keeping Pigeons is Ill advised.
Litterally, you will get ill.
YUK!
Keeping a raven could be done I guess.
*shrug*

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Goshawk In reply to GazTV-inc [2008-01-15 15:00:53 +0000 UTC]

Cool. I don't really know that much about British wildlife laws... not yet at least.
Pigeons are nasty. They fly well, though.
Keeping a raven here is illegal... but I want to anyway.
Dangerous, though.

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GazTV-inc In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-15 19:28:49 +0000 UTC]

Perhaps yeah...
those buggers are carnivorous and I doubt they're tamable at all!

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Goshawk In reply to GazTV-inc [2008-01-18 03:26:08 +0000 UTC]

You can't domesticate them, but you can kind of befriend them....

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GazTV-inc In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-19 00:01:45 +0000 UTC]

Yeah...
good luck with that though.

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Goshawk In reply to GazTV-inc [2008-01-19 23:57:35 +0000 UTC]

Come now, you think I'm afraid of getting bitten? I know I will.
I work with animals; getting hurt is a given.
Also, not everyone is as afraid of birds as you.

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GazTV-inc In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-20 00:52:05 +0000 UTC]

I didn't say that, did I?

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Goshawk In reply to GazTV-inc [2008-01-20 05:24:39 +0000 UTC]

But you implied it!!!

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GazTV-inc In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-21 00:03:48 +0000 UTC]

Not even slightly.

In a humanoid sense, Ravens are the equivalent of a Mercenary.
They serve their own purposes and come and go as they please,
you can try make them a friend, but don't expect them to be so loyal.
If you wanted me to put a fine point on it there it is...

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Goshawk In reply to GazTV-inc [2008-01-21 03:56:13 +0000 UTC]

Well, seemed like it...

That's what I like about them. They're also brilliant.
I wouldn't expect it to be a loyal pet... I've studied falconry, and God knows birds of prey are not loyal, loving pets. I don't even consider them pets.
That's why earning their trust means so much more.

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GazTV-inc In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-22 02:02:42 +0000 UTC]

I believe falcons to be loyal, their very trusting as far as I'm lead to believe and a trusting animal is a trustworthy one...
IMHO

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Goshawk In reply to GazTV-inc [2008-01-22 04:28:41 +0000 UTC]

Falcons? LOLOLOLOLOL Not really, dear. They tend to be high-strung, and if they decide to leave you, they're gone. Not to mention that if they don't like your face, they just might nip it up.
They're not as bad as accipiters, though......... freaking psycho birds.
Popular culture makes falcons out to be noble, honourable creatures, but that's not quite the case. You have to work with them to get a true feel of them. It's hard to describe them with words.

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GazTV-inc In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-23 00:08:56 +0000 UTC]

I see...
culture has mislead me there then.

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Goshawk In reply to GazTV-inc [2008-01-23 00:57:56 +0000 UTC]

Biiiiig time, bro.

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GazTV-inc In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-23 02:27:32 +0000 UTC]

T_T

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TheFireTigress [2008-01-09 13:30:12 +0000 UTC]

Now I wanna draw birds and get tendinitis also!! Well I wanna draw some thing with wings.

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Goshawk In reply to TheFireTigress [2008-01-09 18:15:11 +0000 UTC]

Have fun and good luck! Remember... practice practice practice. And you don't want tendinitis, trust me...

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TheFireTigress In reply to Goshawk [2008-01-10 01:47:27 +0000 UTC]

I believe you

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Spoofster [2008-01-09 06:10:01 +0000 UTC]

I could never quite grasp the feather structure on a bird wing before, though I knew the gist of it.
After reading this tutorial I have a much better understanding, so I want to thank you for putting this up. It's well written, easy to understand, and the examples are nicely done. It was also a good idea to add the different wing types at the end, showing that even wings can offer a lot of variety.

That colored diagram is also really helpful too. I'll have to check the photo collection tomorrow, it's late here.

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Goshawk In reply to Spoofster [2008-01-09 18:12:23 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad it helped! I think *windfalcon has a more detailed tutorial. You should check hers out too!
Everyone I send those two links to says they help a lot.

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