key-feathers:

I often get comments about this little guide I did way back for a college assessment. Its a bit old and I’d like to do a new one eventually, but thought I’d share it here incase it helps anyone! 

Posted below, is what I had posted with my original DeviantART post, so apologies if some of the links are now dated or not working. 

Bird wing ref! 

The three important points when illustrating wings are –

1) Feather placement! First primary goes UNDER the next feather from top view. First primary goes OVER second feather on underside view.

2) A bird wing is like a human arm in a lot of ways. Make sure you have the correct amount of bends- joints. If in doubt try posing your arm for ideas!
3) When folded, primaries tuck under the secondaries not the other way around!

Sourced from many places, including illustrations and photos online, books, a dried wing I own and my parrot NC. It’s probably not the most amazing ref (and there may be mistakes atm *so tired* XD). But hopefully this will be of use to someone!

Here are some usefull photos and illustrated refs that I have collected for my study. I am sure they will be of great help for those who wish to draw some wingsssss!

Bones –
http://academic.emporia.edu/sievertl/verstruc/birdbody2.JPG
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21279442@N00/4301540128/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyborgsuzy/1455596431/

Feather illustrations – 
http://featherfancy.com/images/wing_clips.gif
http://www.twitt.org/LordsBird03.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Wingfeathers.png
http://raptorrehab.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/bird_wing_by_lily.jpg (This one again shows the vital placement of the primary and secondaries!)

Photos – (Seriously, look through flickr. You will find some awesome bird wing refs there!) 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrnikon/3809206571/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahbelle1/144753429/

http://susty.com/image/legend-of-pale-male-red-tailed-hawk-wing-wave-central-park-building-beak-feather-new-york-city-nyc-sky-nature-wildlife-animal-raptor-bird-of-prey-photo.jpg

http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/clipart/uk/dk/bird/image_bird003.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/daaynos/449276506/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59303791@N00/3953343294/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32081016@N07/3607434096/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1stlady/644398880/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50059444@N00/300765724/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53898309@N00/2211304917/

2 really good tutorials (much more in depth) others have made! – 

http://unkraut.deviantart.com/art/Bird-s-wing-anatomy-30580013?q=boost%3Apopular%20bird%20wing%20tutorial&qo=5

http://theantimonyelement.deviantart.com/art/Bird-Wing-Tutorial-150844565?q=boost%3Apopular%20bird%20wing%20tutorial&qo=0