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TheAntimonyElementBird Wing Tutorial

Published: 2010-01-18 08:52:21 +0000 UTC; Views: 355823; Favourites: 16098; Downloads: 7183
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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: 2652

TheAntimonyElement In reply to ??? [2012-10-24 05:26:25 +0000 UTC]

Well, now you can--so go draw wings, yay!

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HappyPanda00 In reply to TheAntimonyElement [2012-11-11 22:49:52 +0000 UTC]

yayy thankyou XD

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Scoutology In reply to ??? [2012-08-07 06:52:37 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for the helpful tutorial

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to Scoutology [2012-10-24 05:26:41 +0000 UTC]



...Also, your icon is making me twitch. XD Bravo!

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Scoutology In reply to TheAntimonyElement [2012-10-25 05:10:44 +0000 UTC]

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PinkXombiePony In reply to ??? [2012-08-06 22:47:57 +0000 UTC]

Awesome tutorial, thank you for sharing!

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to PinkXombiePony [2012-10-24 05:26:50 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for commenting!

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CloudClipper In reply to ??? [2012-08-05 03:16:24 +0000 UTC]

I faved this forever ago, but I just had to say thanks because since I have seen this tutorial my feathered wings have become a million times better

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to CloudClipper [2012-10-24 05:27:04 +0000 UTC]

It's fantastic to hear that, thank you so much!

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CloudClipper In reply to TheAntimonyElement [2012-11-07 23:01:06 +0000 UTC]

Still improving too, but this was a fantastic way to start! Still refer to it sometimes

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Linnunlento In reply to ??? [2012-08-03 18:08:27 +0000 UTC]

this is very interesting!

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to Linnunlento [2012-10-24 05:27:11 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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Vivienne-Mercier In reply to ??? [2012-08-03 03:01:27 +0000 UTC]

Just had to fave this, as feathered wings are really hard for me to draw. Thanks for making this tutorial!

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to Vivienne-Mercier [2012-10-24 05:27:19 +0000 UTC]

You're very welcome! ^^

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MiracleDiampress In reply to ??? [2012-08-01 20:16:21 +0000 UTC]

this is a heck of a lot of help, thnx

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to MiracleDiampress [2012-10-24 05:27:25 +0000 UTC]

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lemony-monster In reply to ??? [2012-08-01 00:09:50 +0000 UTC]

This is very helpful. Thank you for making this.

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to lemony-monster [2012-10-24 05:27:29 +0000 UTC]

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Lannean In reply to ??? [2012-07-30 19:38:43 +0000 UTC]

Wow! This tutorial is amazing! Really funny to read and extremely helpfull! Thanks a ton for creating it

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to Lannean [2012-10-24 05:27:37 +0000 UTC]

You're very welcome!

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sun-pop In reply to ??? [2012-07-28 20:17:41 +0000 UTC]

XD this was helpful and funny It's helunny! It really help me out with the design of a new bird based character

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to sun-pop [2012-10-24 05:27:58 +0000 UTC]

I'm so glad, thank you!

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sun-pop In reply to TheAntimonyElement [2012-10-24 12:54:44 +0000 UTC]

Np!

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goRillA-iNK In reply to ??? [2012-07-27 01:35:34 +0000 UTC]

Outstanding and extremely helpful.

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to goRillA-iNK [2012-10-24 05:28:05 +0000 UTC]

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Arrow-Dynamic In reply to ??? [2012-07-25 05:42:29 +0000 UTC]

So helpful! Thanks for posting!

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xLacie In reply to ??? [2012-07-24 15:54:58 +0000 UTC]

Lovely tutorial <3 Thank you for posting it!

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kitty15553 In reply to ??? [2012-07-24 10:16:37 +0000 UTC]

thanks its was really helpfull i already new somethings but there were still lots of things her that were new to me thanks once again !

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GirlOfThe21stCentury In reply to ??? [2012-07-23 22:36:18 +0000 UTC]

I'm designing a race of harpies and I found this very helpful. although of course they are half bird/half woman, so it will be a bit different. Thanks for this tutorial!

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Splumpkin In reply to ??? [2012-07-21 18:31:03 +0000 UTC]

Thats so helpful! I stink at birdies...
I can only do its beak.
So now I can do:
1. beak
2. wings

I'm getting there!!! XD

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Grusart In reply to ??? [2012-07-21 10:32:35 +0000 UTC]

A deepgoing and concrete tutorial, super-helpful! Thanks for making!

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WaterlightFading In reply to ??? [2012-07-21 00:46:45 +0000 UTC]

I was hardly suprised when i got to the end and discovered this had gotten a DD. Thank you so much for making this!! I used to be so confused about how to draw wings, and now I understand!! This has helped me so much, and ill probably go through it many more times!

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hunterofartemis726 In reply to ??? [2012-07-19 17:17:31 +0000 UTC]

This is an amazing tutorial! I love the humor and it totally made sense! The best one I've ever come across.

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ita-chan4ever In reply to hunterofartemis726 [2012-08-16 13:01:11 +0000 UTC]

i love your icon!!!

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hunterofartemis726 In reply to ita-chan4ever [2012-08-24 23:13:56 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! Its not mine, I can't remember where I got it from.

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ita-chan4ever In reply to hunterofartemis726 [2012-08-29 22:59:00 +0000 UTC]

oh..... its still awesome!!!!

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hunterofartemis726 In reply to ita-chan4ever [2012-08-31 00:15:28 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! I like yours too. Did you make it?

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ita-chan4ever In reply to hunterofartemis726 [2012-08-31 12:52:26 +0000 UTC]

Yes, yes I did!! Thanks for liking it

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hunterofartemis726 In reply to ita-chan4ever [2012-09-01 01:16:14 +0000 UTC]

Could you make one for me? It's super cute!

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MR-AwEsOmE01 In reply to ??? [2012-07-19 04:47:12 +0000 UTC]

This was flippin awesome!

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M4WiE In reply to ??? [2012-07-19 01:41:10 +0000 UTC]

wow thanks! it will help!!
i laughed so hard at the retarded ms XD

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Umbreeunix In reply to ??? [2012-07-16 23:17:36 +0000 UTC]

this is the best tutorial ive ever read. give urself a pat on the back cuz u deserve it

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Pure-Dragon97 In reply to ??? [2012-07-16 22:33:39 +0000 UTC]

This was really helpful, understandable, funny, and it covered everything I needed to know. Thank you!

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to Pure-Dragon97 [2012-07-16 23:40:47 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad you liked it! ^^

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chocoboexpress In reply to ??? [2012-07-16 03:58:25 +0000 UTC]

Wow~ thanks
This helps a lot, thankies!

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AliyaBloodHeart In reply to ??? [2012-07-14 23:58:21 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for putting this together, it is a real eye opener!
I use to *try* and study bird wings but i never got the bending part right and would just give up or change or.... worst of all just *guess* how the feathers should fit! My poor gryphons!
Thank you im going to to favourite this page! And maybe my gryphs will actually FLY!!!!.... you know without falling out of the sky!!

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Bocipaci In reply to ??? [2012-07-14 14:03:36 +0000 UTC]

THANK YOU SO MACH!!!

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to Bocipaci [2012-10-24 05:29:01 +0000 UTC]

YOU'RE SO WELCOME!

(I like "mach" better )

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Bocipaci In reply to Bocipaci [2012-07-14 14:03:50 +0000 UTC]

*much...

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TheAntimonyElement In reply to Bocipaci [2012-07-15 00:57:23 +0000 UTC]

Haha, well, since your pony there looks a lot like Rainbow Dash, I think "mach" is just fine. And you're welcome!

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