I did this pastel from a photo taken two years ago in the desert near Tucson, Arizona. This is the second bird I have done and I believe that my representation of feathers is improving.
After the first session I had the background done (I thought) and the bird well delineated.
I had the bird fairly well filled in by the end of the second session.
Here's the finished picture. I had to lighten the background which was a real pain but, as it was before, the hawk didn't really stand out.
Here a detail of the head.