Flamingo beginning

I thought I'd post the beginning of a drawing I'm working on. I have a friend who loves flamingoes so I thought I would draw one for her. Here's the beginning of the sketch. I wonder why some people call colored pencil drawings, "colored pencil paintings"? Is that because they use the water soluble kind of pencils? Or is it a standard term?

I also saw someone who was drawing on Rising Museum Board, which I never heard of. Then I researched it on Dick Blick and it's a kind of matte board. Anyone like using colored pencil on matte board? How does it handle?

Roughed this in with light pencil, then some pen and ink, the started on the beak, then the myriad feathers, and we're taking BIG feathers! I'll post it again tomorrow if I get some more done on it. I work in layers, putting in the lightest colors, or over coloring light pinks with whites to make them smoother, or using lighter or darker colors for pullling out the details. Kind of a modge podge of techniques. Whatever works! Enjoy!

Visitor 3 is a sparrow I think????

Visitor 2?

Visitors One

Anyone know what kinds of visitors I'm getting at my feeder?

Tufted Titmouse

This little guy is my first drawing of a blue shaded bird and I realized I really need more blues!!!! Even though I probably used every blue I own. Back to Dick Blick this afternoon. I wish there was one in New Hampshire. Then I wouldn't have to pay for shipping! Where are there stores located?

Tufted Titmouse close-up

Western Meadowlark

I love all the spots. I want to try to draw a Snowy Owl, but they REALLY have tons of spots. I'll need larger paper!

Close up of Meadowlark

Thanks for those of you who helped me figure out what this bird was! I did confirm it through Google when I found an entire collection of Meadowlarks that looked just like him! All those spots and markings were a pain to draw but fun too!