I’ve started to sketch more birds again recently which is very enjoyable. Today I have a video of my process for a detailed bird painting. I’ve decided to do some sketches of the birds in my sketchbook first, and a detailed painting in watercolor later.
It’s winter time, and in many places in middle Europe you can watch bramblings, big colorful finches, who are winter guests here. They breed in Scandinavia in summer, and they often feed in groups.
Here’s the video:
Painting a finch in watercolor | brambling sketches + detailed illustration
Note: If you can’t see the embedded video please click the image above or the link here.
The sketches and the painting each took about one hour to do.
I hope you enjoy this tutorial format in video – let me know in the comments!
Hello, Julia!
Fabulous video! I loved the various poses of the birds and enjoyed hearing about the different colors of the feathers due to the gender of the bird. Do you capture the details of the wing patterns with photos? If I get close enough to see this detail in nature, the birds take flight before I barely blink!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful posts and this video. You inspire me!
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Yes, I do use photo references for detailed paintings like the second one, it’s almost impossible otherwise!
Nice video, and good tips. I have just started using white guache for highlights, especially for the eyes,, such a new thrill! I like how you used it for feather fluff.
Yes, white gouache is really useful, isn’t it? Thank you!