{"id":31464,"date":"2019-07-29T00:30:57","date_gmt":"2019-07-29T00:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=31464"},"modified":"2026-04-03T17:46:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T17:46:24","slug":"3-little-birds-with-colored-pencils-blue-jay-with-polychromos-pencils","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/3-little-birds-with-colored-pencils-blue-jay-with-polychromos-pencils","title":{"rendered":"3 Little Birds with Colored Pencils &#8211; Blue Jay with Polychromos Pencils"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1><span>3 Little Birds with Colored Pencils:<\/span> Blue Jay with Polychromos Colored Pencils<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"insertbackground\">\n<div class=\"removep\">\n<div class=\"videoflexwrapper\">\n<div class=\"videotop\">\n  <iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/360336779\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebartop\">\n<div class=\"vertalign\">\n<div class=\"logoimage\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/logosmall75.png\"><\/div>\n<p>\n    <div class=\"sidebarcarddescriptiondark\">\n<span>JOIN THE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR<\/span><br>\n    Get ALL of our courses, ebooks, live lessons, critiques, lesson plans and more today.\n<\/div>\n    <\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebarbuttonholder\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttonsmem\">START FREE TRIAL<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<hr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:1.5em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/register-3-little-birds\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttons\">BUY COURSE $57<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperkscontainer\">\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><span>This course features:<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"far fa-clock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>3 Hours of Instruction<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-film\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>13 Videos<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-book\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>3 eBooks<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-shield-alt\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>30 Day Money Back Guarantee<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p>\n\n<div class=\"contentfix\">\n<div class=\"favorites\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tabs\">\n<input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-1\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-1\" class=\"label\">Lessons <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Course Curriculum<\/h2>\n\n<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"curriculumcontainer\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/3-little-birds-with-colored-pencils-kingfisher-with-prismacolor-pencils\" class=\"curriculum\"><strong>SERIES 1: KINGFISHER \/ PRISMACOLOR<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/3-little-birds-with-colored-pencils-blue-jay-with-polychromos-pencils\" class=\"curriculum\"><strong>SERIES 2: BLUE JAY \/ POLYCHROMOS<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 1: Materials (4:25)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 2: Background and the Head (17:23)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 3: The Upper Body (16:35)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 4: The Lower Body (18:48)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 5: The Talon and the Branch (13:11)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/3-little-birds-with-colored-pencils-hummingbird-with-caran-dache\" class=\"curriculum\"><strong>SERIES 3: HUMMINGBIRD \/ LUMINANCE<\/strong><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-2\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-2\" class=\"label\">Description <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:3px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Description<\/h2>\n<p>\nThis lesson series is an immersive study in colored pencil realism that focuses on creating a vibrant and detailed portrait of a blue jay. In this multi-part series, students use Polychromos Colored Pencils on PastelMat, a unique textured surface that enhances pigment layering and depth. Through careful demonstration and thoughtful instruction, this series builds core skills in observation, color blending, texture, and artistic expression.\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Blue-Jay-Finished.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Jay drawing with Colored Pencils\"><\/p>\n<h2>Materials and Surface Preparation<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe lesson series begins by introducing the tools and materials that support success with this project. Polychromos Colored Pencils are chosen for their high pigment quality, buttery smooth application, and excellent blending capability. PastelMat, a specially designed textured surface, holds multiple layers of pencil pigment and allows for rich color saturation. Students learn how to prepare and secure the surface, select appropriate pencil colors, and organize their workspace to promote efficient, focused drawing sessions.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Sketching the Blue Jay<\/h2>\n<p>\nBefore applying colored pencil pigment, students are guided through drawing an accurate sketch of the blue jay. Emphasis is placed on proportion, posture, and the bird\u2019s distinctive features. By breaking down the subject into simple shapes and refining them, students develop a strong structural foundation. This early focus on drawing accuracy ensures that the final work is both realistic and expressive.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Layering Color for Depth and Form<\/h2>\n<p>\nOnce the sketch is complete, the series transitions to color application. Students begin layering Polychromos pencils to build depth, value, and vibrant hues. The instructor demonstrates how to gradually develop color intensity using light to medium pressure, blending pigments to create smooth transitions. Emphasis is placed on understanding the blue jay\u2019s characteristic coloration and translating those color relationships onto PastelMat.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Capturing Texture and Detail<\/h2>\n<p>\nA key focus of the lessons is rendering the texture of feathers, beak, and surrounding elements. Students learn how to use directional strokes, varied pressure, and contrast to suggest the soft yet structured quality of the bird\u2019s plumage. Detailed work on the eye and facial features brings personality and life to the drawing, while thoughtful layering preserves both contrast and harmony throughout the piece.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Final Refinements and Artistic Expression<\/h2>\n<p>\nAs the series progresses, attention shifts to refining details, enhancing highlights, and unifying the composition. Students learn how to balance sharp edges with soft transitions, deepen shadows where needed, and elevate highlights for maximum impact. By the end of this series, artists will have completed a striking realistic bird portrait and gained valuable mixed-media colored pencil skills that can be applied to future projects.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Specific Lessons<\/h2>\n<h3>Lesson 1 - Materials<\/h3>\n<p>In lesson one, we'll review the materials used for this lesson series.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 2 - Background and the Head<\/h3>\n<p>In lesson two, we'll transfer the photo reference to the drawing surface and develop the background with PanPastels. We'll then begin colored pencil applications, starting with the head.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 3 - The Upper Body<\/h3>\n<p>In lesson three, we'll develop the upper body of the Blue Jay. We'll layer multiple applications to build up the texture and create complexity in the color.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 4 - The Lower Body<\/h3>\n<p>In lesson four, we'll continue working down the body, addressing the complex, overlapping feathers.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 5 - The Talon and the Branch<\/h3>\n<p>In lesson five, we'll complete the drawing by addressing the remaining feathers, the talon, and the branch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-3\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-3\" class=\"label\">Materials <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Materials<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils<\/li>\n<li>PastelMat Paper<\/li>\n<li>PanPastels<\/li>\n<li>White Pastel Stick (Soft Pastels)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-4\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-4\" class=\"label\">Resources <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Resources<\/h2>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-exclamation-triangle\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Distributing any content downloaded from this site is strictly prohibited and against the terms and conditions of use.<\/p>\n<h4>References<\/h4>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Download eBook<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Reference Image<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Finished Drawing<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbottom\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Your Instructor<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructor\">\n<div class=\"instructorimage\">\n<div class=\"instructorpic\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/images\/mattauthor.jpg\" alt=\"Matt Fussell - Instructor\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"instructorname\">Matt Fussell<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructordes\">\n<p>Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.<\/p>\n<p><div style=\"padding-top:10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/author\/admin\">Learn more about Matt<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relatedcoursescontainer\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Related Courses and Classes<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-colored-pencil-course\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>The Colored Pencil Course<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Colored-Pencil-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/colored-pencils-plus\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Colored Pencils PLUS<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Colored-Pencils-Plus-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/peacock-with-colored-pencils\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Peacock with Colored Pencils<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Peacock-colored-pencils-lesson-series-400.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><script>\nfunction myFunction(x) {\n  if (x.matches) { \/\/ If media query matches\n    radiobtn = document.getElementById(\"tab-1\");\nradiobtn.checked = true;\n  } else {\n   radiobtn = document.getElementById(\"tab-2\");\nradiobtn.checked = true;\n  }\n}<\/p>\n<p>var x = window.matchMedia(\"(max-width: 981px)\")\nmyFunction(x) \/\/ Call listener function at run time\nx.addListener(myFunction) \/\/ Attach listener function on state changes\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><script>\n$(\".curriculumcontainermem a\").click(function(){\n    $('.curriculumcontainermem a.selected').not(this).removeClass('selected');\n    $(this).toggleClass('selected');\n })\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\n$(\".curriculumcontainer a\").click(function(){\n    $('.curriculumcontainer a.curriculumselected').not(this).removeClass('curriculumselected');\n    $(this).toggleClass('curriculumselected');\n })\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\n    var iframe = document.querySelector('iframe');\n    var player = new Vimeo.Player(iframe);<\/p>\n<p>    player.on('play', function() {\n        console.log('played the video!');\n    });<\/p>\n<p>    player.getVideoTitle().then(function(title) {\n        console.log('title:', title);\n    });\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid1() {\nplayer.loadVideo(350331469).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid2() {\nplayer.loadVideo(350356684).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid3() {\nplayer.loadVideo(350391928).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid4() {\nplayer.loadVideo(350426863).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid5() {\nplayer.loadVideo(350470882).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>3 Little Birds with Colored Pencils: Blue Jay with Polychromos Colored Pencils Lessons Course Curriculum Description Lesson Description This lesson series is an immersive study in colored pencil realism that focuses on creating a vibrant and detailed portrait of a blue jay. In this multi-part series, students use Polychromos Colored Pencils on PastelMat, a unique [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"paget-iframe.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31464","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31464"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46219,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31464\/revisions\/46219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}