deviant art

Deviant Login Shop  Join deviantART for FREE Take the Tour

185,640

12,782 2,372 5,311
Download JPG 800 × 15800
Ta-da! :D Finally! You peeps requested this, like, AGES ago, and here it is! Hope you learn something! :heart: Please don't be scared off by its length, I just talk a lot. ;P

I browsed a bit through dA and I couldn't find a tutorial on bird wings that really covered it ALL--from bones to wing shapes and feather groups. All the tuts I found seemed to assume that you were starting with some basic knowledge of how bird wings worked. I don't know if you are, so here's one that works from the ground up! :)

Yes, this is based off the tutorial style of the incomparable :iconalexds1: (Go read her tutorials on drawing humans; I promise you will learn something!) because I feel that it's a very clear and dynamic way to show people stuff. So yeah.

Other Stuff:
Interesting web sites, if you want to learn more:
[link] --Explore this site some--it has some really cool interactive stuff. Also that game! XD My bobolink always gets eaten halfway through.
[link] --some more in-depth stuff on the physics involved. :)
[link] --lots of info on wing shape and purpose!

Great reference books:
-Birds of Prey: Majestic Masters of the Skies by Paul D. Frost--glorious, two-page spreads full of raptor close-ups. :D My copy is much loved.
-Raptors of the World by James Ferguson-Lees and David A. Christie--what need I say? :heart:
-Reader's Digest Book of North American Birds -- beautifully illustrated, with cool tidbits of information about all the birds.

...and I don't want to hear that you don't have the money to buy books. Libraries need love too, and there is one near you--go get to know it! :D

All photos that are not from Wikipedia were taken by me. The canada goose picture was found here: [link] and the peregrine falcon here: [link] .

Phew. That was rather exhausting (and hopefully exhaustive! :D) so I hope you enjoy and appreciate! Wings are gorgeous; do them justice! :heart: :heart: :heart:

Also: :iconchezem: has a wonderful gallery full of images of birds in flight--go check it out, it's a great reference! :) Thanks to :iconankewehner: for suggesting it.

:EDIT: HOMFG A DD THANK YOU SO MUCH :iconchimeradragonfang: and :iconfantasystock: !!!!!!

Details

Stats

Submitted on
January 18, 2010
Image Size
8.8 MB
Resolution
800×15800
Views
185,640 (18 today)
Favourites
12,782 (who?)
Comments
2,372
Downloads
5,311
URL
Thumb
Embed
Only verified accounts can report policy violations. Please check your email and click on the verification link.
* Required field
Add a Comment:
 

Daily Deviation

Given 2010-12-01
Suggester's words: Well-illustrated, explained and organized, plus a dash of humour makes Bird Wing Tutorial by ~TheAntimonyElement one really good tutorial. ( Suggested by =ChimeraDragonfang and Featured by `FantasyStock )
:icontakemakei:
*TakemaKei 23 hours ago  Hobbyist Digital Artist
Someone sent me a link of this. and one of my works has wings. and my reaction to his feedback is 'wow i did not know that'.
This is something what self research may miss out on. and It will be useful for my future wings.
Congrats for the daily deviation eventhough its 3 years ago.
Reply
:iconthecharismapandaxd:
~TheCharismaPandaXD May 13, 2013  Student Digital Artist
This has got to be the most comprehensive tutorial i've seen in DA so far! Thank you for this!
Reply
:iconwithe-shadovv:
~Withe-Shadovv May 3, 2013  Hobbyist Digital Artist
i had to laugh the whole tutorial.
Reply
:iconnovus-feldspar:
~Novus-Feldspar May 1, 2013  Hobbyist General Artist
I know I've said this before, but THANK YOU. This is one of the most helpful tutorials I've ever come across. You've helped a lot of artists with this! :D
Reply
:iconsakurapetalwolf:
Awesome! Thank you so much, it's so hard to draw them, but they are just TOOO beautiful :iconblushplz:
Reply
:iconchurail:
Mood: Love ~Churail Apr 18, 2013  Hobbyist Digital Artist
DerpOwl made my day!
Thank you for teaching :D
Reply
:iconserenade-thirdhand:
~Serenade-Thirdhand Apr 17, 2013  Hobbyist Photographer
ODETTE!
Reply
:icondistantglory:
~DistantGlory Apr 13, 2013  New member Hobbyist Digital Artist
This is an absolutely invaluable resource. Thank you so much!
Reply
:iconcolorful-drops:
Mood: Love ~Colorful-Drops Apr 6, 2013  Hobbyist Artisan Crafter
omg OMG THANK-YOU-VERY-MUCH
ive was drawing wrong this hole time XDD
BUT NO MORE!!
Reply
:iconkavahle22:
OMG!!! THANKIES! I know how to draw dragon-type wings but the characters I'm working on now have avian wings,so this is helpful.
Reply
Add a Comment: