Own Your Encore

Color value and washes are key to watercolor and these two bird subjects have been a challenge on both fronts.

The Cardinal: Exploring reds was fun while painting this intensely colored birds. We learned about layering colors to achieve intensity and shape.

I remember the color from the first time I saw a Cardinal in person, the bright little bird was not to be missed as it was jumping around in the bare trees. For this painting the subjects were in photos.

The Mallard: We all know this common duck and the distinctive markings of the male – iridescent green head,  neck ring and blue patch of feathers. Getting those features into a watercolor and keeping the vibrancy was the challenge.