The Society of Wildlife Artists

It was a real pleasure to meet so many like-minded people on the John Busby Seabird Drawing Course, not only artists, but artists who were passionate about nature. It is a testament as to how good the course really is — several artists return to the course having attended previous years. Admittedly at first, I thought they must be crazy to sign up again. I found the crippling ball of nerves on the first day hard to endure, however, I was soon to learn why the course is so wonderful. 

I pushed unhelpful worries to the back of my mind and reminded myself why I was there. As well as feeling nervous I was also delighted and honoured to be included on the course. My home life is very busy, with raising two kids and therefore my drawing and painting time limited, I had been craving this moment and I was going to enjoy and savour it.

Our first stop was drawing kittiwakes at Dunbar harbour. They nest in the ruins of Dunbar Castle which clings precariously to the rocks. The kittiwakes appear to be oblivious to the human contact nearby. They make the perfect subject to draw as you can get very close. I quickly learnt that drawing birds from life is a gradual process and it is essential to get to know your subject. Watching, learning, and absorbing their unique characteristics. Darren gave lots of helpful advice as to adjusting the beak so as to make it more life-like.

A little crest fallen perhaps but still enjoying my day I returned to the Golf Club for our daily meal together. I soon discovered I was not alone in finding the first day difficult. My newfound friends apparently found it challenging too. We consoled and encouraged each other. Looking at everyone’s work each evening was a revelation. Over the next few days I began to recognise everyone’s unique style and I found it inspiring to see so many different approaches. This motivated me to keep trying and perhaps try something new, tomorrow after all was another day.

My favourite location to go drawing was St. Abbs, an assault on the senses, majestic cliffs and foreboding dark denim blue sea and the birds! Hundreds of them all squawking, squeaking, skirling in a seabird symphony. The excitement I felt was a bit overwhelming and it was hard to know where to begin. I found the group exercises at the beginning of each day really useful and helped me focus. Nik encouraged us to not be afraid of making mistakes and to keep drawing. I found myself drawing in all weathers, sheltering from the driving rain in the back of the van with tea and biscuits, I would normally have given up, but Kittie encouraged us to get back out there and I’m so glad I did. Surprisingly some of my more successful days drawing were probably under more difficult weather conditions. The battle with the elements was exhilarating. The marks I made were more immediate and had a rawness that would be difficult to replicate in the studio.

We joked how the JBD course would make a great fly-on-the-wall documentary. Every day the boat trip to an island hung in the balance. Would the tides be right? Would the wind calm down? The suspense was tangible. Finally, the conditions were right and the trip to Fidra didn’t disappoint. We arrived to a whirl of gulls flying above our heads. I got pooped on the head almost immediately, the penny dropped as I noticed the rest of the crew had sensibly pulled their hoods up. I was treated to great views of puffins only metres away. They compliantly posed with beaks full of sand eels. It was a fantastic experience and in those magical moments, I was living the dream.

By day 7 I didn’t want the John Busby Drawing Course to end. The Course has opened a window into the way I think about drawing. I try to draw every day, even during my lunch break at work. It has ignited a passion to learn more, to look for shapes and forms, to not always draw every last detail but to use a sort of shorthand. I am excited for the future and can only thank the SWLA for this life-enhancing experience.