Sorcha • 10 • Fermanagh

8-11 Category   •  2026
My drawing is of a curlew, a bird i think looks very interesting and means a lot to me as they are found in my local area. I looked carefully at the bird’s features before I started so I could try to show its feather patterns clearly. I noticed that most of the feathers on its back have a similar white tipped pattern, but this changes towards the bottom of the bird, which makes it more interesting. I especially like the curlew’s feathers Distinctive, long, curved beak. I blended different shades of pencil to create texture and detail in the feathers. I used darker shading where the feathers overlap and lighter shading on the head and neck. I also used my finger to gently blend areas such as the rocks and the water to make them look softer and more realistic. The curlew’s curved beak helps it reach deep into soft mud to find insects and small creatures to eat. Learning this helped me understand why the bird’s shape is important for how it survives in nature. My love of nature has grown through taking part in projects such as the Marble Arch Caves Junior Ranger programme that takes place in thr cuilach lakelNds geopark. I learnt about local wildlife and how to care for the environment, which inspired me to choose a curlew as my subject. Being in nature and creating art makes me feel calm and happy. I enjoy looking closely at animals and noticing small details, and drawing helps me relax and express how I feel. It also makes me feel more connected to the natural world around me.