Soaring, flying, diving

I recently did these sketches as quick rough studies to get a feel for drawing birds in flight. They are done in brown charcoal which I ended up smudging to create the shade and form of the birds. I have done a few prints of them with dark charcoal instead of brown and they look stunning in these frames made by iKHAYA (see outlets page).

I seem to do better work when I am not trying too hard. What I mean is when I am relaxed and not trying to make something happen, not forcing the result.
I like it when I am suprised by what comes out - when I think - how did I do that.