Birds in Watercolor—Ten Tips for Painting

Ten tips for creating vibrant, lifelike watercolor paintings of birds; plus, how to stretch watercolor paper.

Zoungy Kligge, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, watercolor on hot press paper, 7 x 4.875 inches.

What a beautiful spring weekend it has been here in Pennsylvania! The weather is warm (but not too warm), and flowering trees are in full bloom. During the evenings I can hear a great horned owl hooting in the woods.

Speaking of owls—on Saturday I was painting birds with students at Historic Yellow Springs. I’ve based this article on my class notes.

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Ten tips for painting birds in watercolor

There is no single right way to approach a watercolor painting. With that in mind, here are some pointers to help you get your creativity flowing.

In my initial drawing of a rose-breasted grosbeak the bird was too wide. You can see it corrected in the next image.

Tip 1—Make a plan

• Watercolors are transparent. Plan to lay down light colors first, then dark.

• Materials—decide if you will use pens, pencils, opaque gouache, or only transparent colors. Have the necessary colors and brushes ready.

• Will your work be loose or detailed?

• Have you noted the most vivid colors and darkest colors in your source image or model?

Tip 2—Start with an accurate drawing

• For easier measuring, work from a reference image that matches your paper size, or else position your model at a distance that makes them appear to “fit the size of the paper.”

• Squint to simplify the scene and to see major light and dark shapes.

• Draw large shapes first, followed by medium, then small.

• Pay attention to details like feather direction and numbers of toes.

I experimented with Winsor & Newton watercolor blending medium (meant to extend blending time). The yellowish cast is where I applied it to the paper. I think it might have been better mixed into the paint.

Tip 3—Save the light

• Mark areas of light color in the pencil drawing, and use removable masking fluid to protect the smallest light areas; or try Winsor and Newton’s permanent masking fluid (I’ve had mixed results).

• Paint around the borders of larger light areas.

• Paint the dark spaces between light fur or grasses with a flat brush.

• Use acrylic paint pens or gouache to restore lost light areas at the end.

Tip 4—Achieving vibrant color

• Use clean brushes, paint, palette and water for vibrant colors.

• Use the fewest number of layers and pigments possible.

• Try to mix the right color to the correct depth of color.

• Mix the color slightly richer and deeper than you think you’ll need, because it will dull slightly as it dries.

In this stage I painted a wet-into-wet background, the most intense reds, plus blues and violets that will be mostly covered by Payne’s gray.

Below the break are more tips on…

• Getting your paints to appear cleaner and not overworked

• Tips for layering colors

• How to paint details

• Finding a personal style

• Keeping watercolor paper flat

• Step-by-step bluejay painting worksheet