Begin your master copy. Pick out a historical bird painting that speaks to you, both in subject and technique. The old masters rarely painted on white paper, so tone your paper with a light sepia wash (or a color that approximates the color used by the artist you’ll be working with). 

      Spend the first day drawing with graphite, making sure to get the correct proportions.  Indicate the major landmarks within the body of the bird-  where the wing begins, where the tip of the wings are located, where the legs meet the body.  Pay attention to the silhouette of the bird- that’s what will make it recognizable to the viewer’s eye. Set up the composition and measure out the proportions if you need to. If you make a mistake much easier to course-correct during the drawing stage rather than doing it once you've begun to paint.