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TheAntimonyElementBird Wing Tutorial

Published: 2010-01-18 08:52:21 +0000 UTC; Views: 385542; Favourites: 16060; Downloads: 7189
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Description Ta-da! Finally! You peeps requested this, like, AGES ago, and here it is! Hope you learn something! Please don't be scared off by its length, I just talk a lot.

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 (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. My copy is much loved.
-Raptors of the World by James Ferguson-Lees and David A. Christie--what need I say?
-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!

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! ) so I hope you enjoy and appreciate! Wings are gorgeous; do them justice!

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

:EDIT: HOMFG A DD THANK YOU SO MUCH and !!!!!!
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Comments: 2653

Aiko-Shiri In reply to ??? [2012-04-12 21:05:26 +0000 UTC]

Aha I see now, ^^ I've actually starting to get used to it, it's different. I try to be as polite as possible ^^ thank you for not taking it harshly <3

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wildstar582 In reply to Aiko-Shiri [2012-04-12 21:34:32 +0000 UTC]

n0 pr0bl3m

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WhiteRaven90 In reply to ??? [2012-04-07 19:49:17 +0000 UTC]

I wanted to make a wing tutorial but not anymore. I'll just link this to everyone who asks me about wings.

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1DAKOTA-SMITH1 In reply to ??? [2012-04-07 14:01:18 +0000 UTC]

very methodical and detailed. you obviously put a lot of time and effort into this. it's absolutly fantastic!

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xo-sadasha-ox In reply to ??? [2012-04-07 09:14:56 +0000 UTC]

This tutorial is SO much fun to read! Thank you. It is totally helpful for me. <3

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Fuzzylicious4Eva In reply to ??? [2012-04-05 13:44:43 +0000 UTC]

You are amazing. I mean, like seriously. I love you.

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Phoenix-of-Athena In reply to ??? [2012-04-04 01:21:39 +0000 UTC]

This is brilliant, and so helpful! Thank you for taking the time to make this.

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Marco-Pato In reply to ??? [2012-04-03 20:23:43 +0000 UTC]

I would like to inform you that I am posting this reference on my website here--> [link] and I was wondering if there was anything about the surrounding "article" that you want me to change, or if you would prefer that I remove it from the site.

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misothekitty In reply to ??? [2012-04-02 17:16:15 +0000 UTC]

Hey thank u so much! This is really going to help me with my Bird DragonRP!

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ZorrieInuyama In reply to ??? [2012-04-01 18:32:47 +0000 UTC]

Wow nice tutorial thanx

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inkgrrl In reply to ??? [2012-03-28 17:19:19 +0000 UTC]

Holy wow you are Teh Awesome! Thank you so much!!

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UrbanNightmare In reply to ??? [2012-03-28 03:01:16 +0000 UTC]

I cannot believe this actually exists! Thanks so much for the tutorial!

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Rymaru In reply to ??? [2012-03-27 21:12:02 +0000 UTC]

This is very helpful. Thank you

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Cessea In reply to ??? [2012-03-25 13:18:43 +0000 UTC]

This is so cool Helpful AND hilarious Love those kind of tutorials!
I take the challenge and draw some wings! ...someday.... xD

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cwydolizer In reply to ??? [2012-03-24 20:59:03 +0000 UTC]

awesomeness in a tutorial.

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Lukellios In reply to ??? [2012-03-23 22:10:15 +0000 UTC]

This is definitely worth a Daily Deviation ^^ It's what I always refer to when drawing wings! Thanks so much for making this!

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LadySusurrus In reply to ??? [2012-03-22 21:42:17 +0000 UTC]

This is put together wonderfully! Very helpful and easy to understand

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alymarcas In reply to ??? [2012-03-19 04:22:47 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much for making this!
I used this tutorial for the first time today and my bird wings actually looked like bird wings.

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VengefulNarwhal In reply to ??? [2012-03-19 01:13:43 +0000 UTC]

Are you... God?

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KnightOwI In reply to ??? [2012-03-18 05:47:25 +0000 UTC]

This is so informative! Thanks for the help. ^^

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Mooncookiewolf In reply to ??? [2012-03-14 09:58:58 +0000 UTC]

yaay thanks this helped alot

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to Mooncookiewolf [2012-03-17 16:15:00 +0000 UTC]

YOU USED THE FLYNN ICON.

Haha, I'm so glad to hear that you found it helpful! :3

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Mooncookiewolf In reply to TheAntimonyElement [2012-03-17 17:53:22 +0000 UTC]

lol yeah

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Zenevieve In reply to ??? [2012-03-13 14:41:44 +0000 UTC]

BEST. EVER.

Like, wow, this holds so much info, and its like... life. <3

"Well, maybe not that one..." I literally LOLed at that

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to Zenevieve [2012-03-17 16:16:34 +0000 UTC]

BEST. COMMENT. EVER. Thank you so much, that's pretty much what I love to hear...I always try to use humor to teach, and I'm never sure if it works, so it's great to hear that people think so. :3 I'm so glad you liked it!

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Zenevieve In reply to TheAntimonyElement [2012-03-17 16:45:53 +0000 UTC]

Well it definitely worked for me xD and your welcome c:

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Rootbeet In reply to ??? [2012-03-13 12:12:18 +0000 UTC]

THIS IS AMAZING AND BRILLIANT! Thank you for making this! I'm drawing a Pegasus for someone (urgh!), but it must be at a strange angle or something because I can't seem to get the wings right at all. This tutorial has helped a lot but would it be possible, if you have time, if you could look at it and say how to make it better? Everything is wrong with it -.- [link]
Thank you so much!

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to Rootbeet [2012-03-17 16:38:15 +0000 UTC]

Wow, thank you so much! You're so welcome, I'm so happy that you found it helpful. :3 I'd be happy to take a look at your picture for you! ^^

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Rootbeet In reply to TheAntimonyElement [2012-03-17 19:03:35 +0000 UTC]

No problem!
Again, thank you infinitely much. I don't think I'd ever have worked out what to do if you hadn't explained it!

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SallySamson In reply to ??? [2012-03-08 18:30:40 +0000 UTC]

thank you!<3
it such a big help
Lol: its broccoli... I think X3
Fav+

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to SallySamson [2012-03-10 05:33:39 +0000 UTC]

Haha, you're very welcome!

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SallySamson In reply to TheAntimonyElement [2012-03-10 16:22:46 +0000 UTC]

No, YOU are very welcome

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BananaPuddingTiem In reply to ??? [2012-03-08 11:12:31 +0000 UTC]

YAY THE THINGS I DRAW DON'T LOOK LIKE WEIRD NOODLES! <3 thank you so much for this!

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to BananaPuddingTiem [2012-03-10 05:34:38 +0000 UTC]

YAAAAAY! Your winged creatures thank you for it! ;D You're so welcome, I'm glad you liked it!

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Ilovemynightmares In reply to ??? [2012-03-05 19:17:01 +0000 UTC]

Very useful. When I do bird pictures I stare at a bird pic on the internet that is in a similar pose to the one I want to draw the bird in! SO THIS IS GOING TO HELP A LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to Ilovemynightmares [2012-03-10 05:40:40 +0000 UTC]

That's wonderful to hear! I love knowing that the tutorial helps people out. Good luck!

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Promet-he-us In reply to ??? [2012-03-04 17:16:40 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful tutorial, thank you for providing it!

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to Promet-he-us [2012-03-10 05:41:05 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful response, thank you so much for commenting!

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Promet-he-us In reply to TheAntimonyElement [2012-03-10 19:47:16 +0000 UTC]

It is a wonderful tutorial, the first one which actually helped to understand where I have gone wrong in the past. Any praise is more than well earned!

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Love2bd1 In reply to ??? [2012-03-04 04:17:09 +0000 UTC]

this actually works!

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to Love2bd1 [2012-03-10 05:41:23 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, good to know!

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l-MattieEH-l In reply to ??? [2012-03-03 23:51:05 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much for this!

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to l-MattieEH-l [2012-03-10 05:41:30 +0000 UTC]

You're so welcome! ^^

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l-MattieEH-l In reply to TheAntimonyElement [2012-03-10 05:43:04 +0000 UTC]

^ ̭ ^

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TheQueenOfCrows In reply to ??? [2012-03-03 19:39:14 +0000 UTC]

I think the one thing people do not think about is the different wing shapes. A lot of people will draw all wings exactly the same, it's good you put that in there.

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to TheQueenOfCrows [2012-03-10 05:43:28 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, I think so too. I could have gone into a lot more detail with it, but I thought that if people really understood the basics, then they would be more likely to do some extra research. I'm glad you noticed! ^^

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Pop-Tart-Zombie In reply to ??? [2012-03-03 16:52:15 +0000 UTC]

This was awesome!

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to Pop-Tart-Zombie [2012-03-10 05:44:01 +0000 UTC]

Right back atcha!

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Pop-Tart-Zombie In reply to TheAntimonyElement [2012-03-10 20:26:22 +0000 UTC]

I love your icon!

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Squiggy18 In reply to ??? [2012-02-25 15:01:01 +0000 UTC]

Very helpful <3

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