At 34, Sofia Gazarian is paving a new path for those who have always wanted to draw nature but (still) lack the courage. This graphic designer, who moved to Portugal four years ago, teaches us that the curiosity to discover can be far greater than the fear of picking up a brush. Thousands of people are inspired by the simple, colorful drawings she shares daily on social media. “My dream is to draw all the bird species in the world.”
We met Sofia Gazarian at the Sagres Birdwatching Festival, with her sketchbook, watercolors, and pen. During our conversation, she told us that she lives in Porto, works as a graphic designer, and is deeply passionate about nature — especially wild birds. She started drawing on her own, and her daily practice and time spent outdoors have turned her into an influencer in the world of nature sketching. Her Instagram account, Print Your Bird – Art & Birds, has over 52,000 followers, and she was recently invited by the international organization Reverse the Red to contribute an illustration for an exhibition on 43 threatened species during the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi.
WILDER: Do you have formal training in illustration, or are you a self-taught artist?
Sofia Gazarian: I have a degree in History and a master’s degree in Tourism. But this year, I was accepted into the Scientific Illustration Graduate Program at the University of Porto, which begins in October. It’s a one-year course. After that, I won’t be able to say I’m a self-taught artist anymore (laughs). It should be a really interesting and fun experience and will help me fill some gaps and open new opportunities. I’m especially looking forward to making more academic and anatomically correct bird drawings — but not only birds! I also want to contribute to conservation and education through proper scientific illustrations.
W: You have more than 52,000 followers on Instagram. In your opinion, why do people follow your work, and what do you think you offer them?
Sofia: I think people are mostly attracted by the simplicity. It takes a lot of patience and time to create realistic and detailed drawings. It’s not that I lack patience, but I want to draw many, many birds — and many other things too.
Actually, I started sketching a long time ago; I used to draw everything. When I travelled and saw something interesting that I wanted to capture, I started drawing it. Whenever I had a minute, I drew everything I saw. I always carried my sketchbook with me and used this quick technique — I don’t make a pencil sketch because there’s no time. I draw directly with a pen, and then, if I have time, I add watercolor. Other times, I take a photo and paint later.
A few years ago, I started drawing birds. I was also trying to find my own style. I’ve been working as a freelance graphic designer for about eight years now, even though I don’t have an academic degree in art, and I create logos and vector illustrations. At some point, I decided to combine my passion for art — which I couldn’t fully express through freelance design work — with my other passion: birds. I started sketching them and realized how much joy it brought me, and how much I learned about birds through drawing them! (laughs) I wanted to draw many, many birds. I want to draw them all! But I guess that’s impossible (laughs).
I realized that the technique I use for sketching is very practical when you want to draw as many birds as possible. I started drawing them this way and noticed that people liked it because they thought it looked easy! They’d say, “You make it look so easy!” But it’s not just that it looks easy — it actually is! When you’re just trying to capture the essence of a bird, you should be quick and simple, without getting too caught up in anatomical details. That’s what I love.
W: What are the main challenges of drawing birds? Do you have to like the final result, or not necessarily?
Sofia: Well… that’s not really the goal. You should enjoy the process itself. When you focus too much on the result and how perfect it should be, fear can freeze you. Sometimes, at a certain stage of a drawing, it doesn’t look good — and that’s totally fine. Later, when you add something, it all comes together.
For example, I discovered that when you draw a bird facing forward, it often looks funny. When you see it in a photo, it looks natural, but when you draw it, you think, “Oh my God, this looks terrible!” But once you add color and details, it starts to look normal again.
This can happen with any drawing. The challenge is not to focus on the outcome but to enjoy the process. Each line you draw, especially in the field, is an attempt to put something down on paper. Don’t worry about the result — just appreciate the moment. Of course, it’s nice when you like the final drawing; that motivates you to keep going. But there are always things you can add to make it more appealing — a background, some notes — and suddenly the whole page looks more interesting! The main challenge is to value the time and those pleasant moments you spend drawing.
W: What materials do you usually take with you when you go drawing in nature?
Sofia: I bring a sketchbook — usually the small one. I use a drawing pen that should be waterproof if you’re working with watercolors. I also use a water brush, which is very handy, though it takes some time to get used to controlling the water. But once you do, it’s impossible to stop using it — I even use it at home, where I have plenty of regular brushes. It’s really convenient: it has a fine tip for small details, and if you flatten it slightly, you can cover larger areas.
With a small sketchbook, you don’t need to cover much space — it works perfectly. I also take a small watercolor palette with a limited range of colors, because I think it’s great not to have too many options. It forces you to mix colors and makes the process more creative. I have three other palettes with standard color combinations, but this is the one I use most often. I also bring a piece of paper towel (which I change when it gets too worn). With the water brush, you have to clean it constantly by releasing more water. Basically, that’s it. I don’t use anything else. But I’m always searching for the perfect sketchbook and the perfect water brush (laughs).
W: Where do you find inspiration?
Sofia: My main source of inspiration is old field journals. When I was a child, I wanted to be what I called a “scientist traveller” — I was sure that was a real profession: you travel, discover something new, and draw it. But later I found out that this kind of work doesn’t really exist anymore, because most things have already been discovered. Nowadays, discoveries tend to be very specific — you don’t just draw everything you see.
Later, I discovered birdwatching and realized that I could make discoveries all the time, right around me — I didn’t even have to go far! (laughs) Why hadn’t I noticed that before? I just want to discover nature.
So, those old journals are my main source of inspiration. I also love illustrations from old books; they explain everything in detail and have an educational side that inspires me to make my own discoveries. And of course, other artists too — there are so many amazing ones! Thanks to social media, especially Instagram, I come across new artworks every day.
Some time ago, I collaborated with another artist — it was a really interesting experience. We chose a bird and made two drawings: one in our own style and another trying to imitate the other’s. I experimented with his line work, colors, and even his typography. I chose what to draw based on what he usually draws. I thought, “Okay, he would probably draw a chick and an egg” — and he actually did! I usually focus on plumage variations across ages and seasons, and he noticed that and did the same in my style! (laughs) I learned so much by trying to copy his style. It was really fun to try new things. I think since then I’ve started to use more watercolor strokes like his. It really enriched my own style.
W: …which still works for you, even after several years.
Sofia Gazarian: Yes, I’ve been drawing the same way for years. Sometimes I think I should maybe add a bit more pencil. This year, every month I’m experimenting with different materials while drawing the same bird. But I still draw “my way,” which I developed through years of practice, and it’s still the easiest way for me. And I can see how people find it easy to replicate this style — they find it accessible, even without knowing how to build proportions or apply watercolor.
I think that’s why people like my drawings: because they’re simple and quick, and they can make them even if they don’t have much time. A small sketch takes about 10 minutes. Even people with very busy lives — which most of us have nowadays — can make a small sketch, feel proud of it, and learn something about the bird. And that’s really wonderful.
Follow Sofia Gazarian’s work on her Instagram page.
You can also explore her tips on keeping a wild bird field journal on the Journaling With Nature podcast.
