Birding and Art at Tucson Bird Alliance’s Mason Center with Donito Burgess and Russell Kahn

Thursday, October 29, 2026, 8am-10am

$60 per person

Join your friends from Tucson Bird Alliance and The Drawing Studio for a one-of-a-kind experience that blends birding, art, and creativity. No prior birding or artistic experience is necessary—just bring your curiosity and enjoy a fun morning celebrating the beauty of birds through both observation and art.

Participants will learn how to capture what they see on paper from nature. They will focus on the flora and/or fauna around the center and do sketches in black and white, and do a longer work in oil pastel.  The instructor will cover demos on how to use line, value and composition as well as color with layering and creating color wheel and monochromatic scales. I will do a demo on how to capture a plein air scene from nature.

• Supplies:

  • Drawing paper or sketch book approx. (9 x 12)

  • Drawing Pencils (4B-6B)

  • Kneaded eraser

  • Oil Pastel (Cray Pas Expressionist ) at least 16 colors , Cray Pas Junior. Set , at least 16 colors

  • Canson Mi-Teintes – Black Paper, or a variety pack of different neutral colors (9 x 12)

  • Baby Wipes (to clean hands)

  • Folding chair

  • hat/water

  • Drawing board

Limited to 12 participants.

Leader: Donito Burgess (dburgess@tucsonbirds.org) and Russell Kahn

Header Image: Hummingbird by Laura Milkins

Body Image: Cactus Wren by Laura Milkins