Ruby Meadowhawk Dragonfly Pencil Sketch p14

I’m a big fan of dragonflies. To draw them, I take tons of photos for reference. I also have some dead ones that I use for reference on tiny details like wing venation. I typically use a 200-400mm lens with extension tubes. For this drawing I used photos that were taken with a 100mm macro. In order to get a tiny dragonfly to fill the frame with that lens you have to be incredibly close. Most dragonflies don’t tolerate that kind of distance. Meadowhawks, however are definitely creatures of habit. They will return to a favorite perch, ignoring a patient photographer. I sat very still and prefocused on its favorite leaf. The meadowhawk would fly off, grab a mosquito and return to eat it right in from of the lens. I like a cooperative subject! I need them to talk to the damselflies… they are much less predictable.