Learn to Draw: Hummingbirds
This art lesson is inspired by the blooming of spring flowers! Join scientific illustrator Dr. Julius Csotonyi where he’ll be teaching you how to draw the small but mighty hummingbird!
Not only will we be drawing this being, but we’ll also explore how they can be a teacher and learn more about the rich, interconnected life they lead in our communities. This one-hour webinar is open to people of all ages. We encourage teachers, students, parents and learners of all ages to join the fun!
The lesson will share both Western and Indigenous perspectives with conversation from x̱a’nalas~Dakota Smith as well as Donna Clark and Sara Ross, from the Community-nest finding Network—a volunteer network aiming to protect birds along the proposed Trans Mountain pipeline expansion route.
Scroll down to watch the art lesson and explore some great resources from the webinar!
Explore the artwork from the lesson!
Scroll through the gallery to see some wonderful hummingbirds! If you’d like to have your drawing featured, send your artwork to social@sierraclub.bc.ca.
Check out these resources from the webinar!
- Join our network of artists for change at InviteToAction.ca
- Are you on Facebook? Join our Facebook group for artists!
- Send your artwork to your local representative to help protect our hummingbird neighbours. You can find your local representative here.
- Want to learn more about the nest finding network? Connect with Sara and Donna at communitynestfindingnetwork@gmail.com
- Read “Flight of the hummingbird”, an Indigenous parable from the Quechuan people of South America. Featuring an interpretation and artwork from Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas.
- Learn how the hummingbird helped pause construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline and tankers expansion project.
- Find out more about the four hummingbird species that call B.C. home.
- Sierra Club BC, Wilderness Committee and Ecojustice are taking the federal government to court to better protect migratory at-risk birds. Learn more about this important legal case here.
- Learn more about the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw Tribes.
- Learn more about our education program.
- Please consider making a donation today to help us continue running free art lessons like this one. Donate here.
About the artist
Dr. Julius Csotonyi is a Vancouver-based scientific illustrator and natural history fine artist. He has a scientific background in ecology (MSc) and microbiology (PhD) which has taken him to study sensitive ecosystems, from sand dunes in the Rocky Mountain parks to hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.
These experiences have fuelled a strong resolve to work toward preserving the earth’s biota. Painting biological subjects is one means that he uses to both enhance public awareness of biological diversity and to motivate concern for its welfare.
He paints murals and panels that have appeared in numerous museums (e.g. the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History), press release images for scientific publications, books, stamp sets (e.g. the 2018 “Sharks of Canada” set for Canada Post), and coins for the Royal Canadian Mint. His work is viewable on his online gallery, http://csotonyi.com
Learn to draw more beings with Julius!
