How to Paint Feathers - 5 EASY TIPS & TECHNIQUES (Watercolor Birds)
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2024
- 5 simple tips and techniques for painting feathers in watercolor by professional artist Paul Hopkinson.
For more help on painting feathers: bit.ly/2LJ98uP
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🕒 Timestamps 🕒
00:00 5 Tips & Techniques for Painting Feathers
00:42 Technique 1: Map out the bird's feathers
05:12 Technique 2: Turn your painting around
08:37 Technique 3: Look carefully at feather structure
11:52 Technique 4: Think carefully about shadows
15:45 Technique 5: Work in layers of watercolor
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#PaulHopkinson #TheDevonArtist #WildlifeinWatercolour - Jak na to + styl
I absolutely love your work!!! Thank you so much for sharing with us. I just started watercolor… I’ve never tried any art in my life, I’m 70… I’ll let you imagine the rest. I’ve learned most of what I do know from CZcams, but then thought I’d take a couple lessons in person and see if that would help some. Both teachers I tried want to switch me to loose landscapes or abstract painting. I am all about the small details. I can’t do it as well as you do, but it is so encouraging to find someone who says it’s ok to draw your subject and it’s ok to use white!! I am definitely going to check out your online lessons.
Hi Cathy that's such a lovely thing to say, thank you very much. Everyone views art in their own way, some when painting with watercolour may prefer the more traditional methods, which for one doesn't include either white or black. But others, like myself, prefer to paint the way I personally wish to paint. It's what makes me happy, and that is what matters the most.
So all I can say to you is, follow the basics first which it sounds like you have just to know the fundamentals, then go the direction in which you wish to head, you will find your own way soon enough. Paul 🎨
ALSO… many thanks for letting us know that you pay for a whole month, no matter when you join your classes. I was fixin to join yesterday, now I will wait until April 1! I’m super excited to learn from you. I’m pretty sure I’ll be this century’s Rembrandt after this!! Which will be a big step, because to date I’ve only done birthday cards for my grandkids. Could happen, tho. Another question… is watercolor really big in UK? It seems like so many artists on CZcams have British accents! Or maybe British artists just prefer the style I like? 🤔 I live in the US, by the way.
@@cathybates4739 Hi Cathy, that's very kind of you wanting to join my Patreon site www.patreon.com/TheDevonArtist
As you said, it's best to join at the beginning of the month, so from tomorrow onwards. Just so you get the benefit of the full month.
The Exclusive club also gives you access to my www.devonartist.co.uk website for the same video content, but with a much better navigation plus PDF downloadable lesson discounts.
Watercolour is a very popular medium here in the UK, it's clean, non-smelly and doesn't take up too much space, not forgetting lovely to use. Mind you, that depends on how much the artist buys in an art shop or online, it's like being a kid in a sweet shop! Sorry, candy shop! LOL
I look forward to seeing you come on board, Paul 🎨
😂 Better than a sweet shop!! You can buy all you want and not gain a pound! My mom just moved into a place that puts the best art supply store in town on my way home! I love online shopping, but there is nothing like walking the aisles ogling all the goodies.
I was feeling very virtuous for using ‘clean” water colors, and not washing chemicals and plastics down the drain… then I was told that watercolor paints have some nasty chemicals, too. Sigh. Can only hope to make the world a prettier place before we implode. Do you have any secrets for filtering what gets rinsed down the drain? While I’m stealing all your ideas… what type of pencil do you use for your drawings? I use an HB pencil and it smudges badly! I’m a slow drawer… do a lot of erasing. I have to draw on drawing paper, then transfer it to watercolor paper, otherwise I would rub off all the texture. 🙄
@@cathybates4739 LOL, so many question Cathy, and believe it or not, I do go through many of these questions within many of my main Patreon videos. So don't worry, you will have access to all of that soon. 😉
as for the type of pencil, I simply use a mechanical pencil for all my initial drawings, after all, it never needs sharpening! 😂
I can't tell you how happy I am that I found you!!! As a Chirstmas gift for a dear friend I offered to paint a piece for her. She has two zebra finches, Zeb and Fin, and that is what she wishes. I've been watching several of your videos and I feel hopeful...I know it will be far better than if I had NOT found you. I love your work and your manner of teaching is so helpful...you do it in a way I can follow. I love watercolors, I'm 82 and just started using them a few years ago. Thanks..I'm a real fan. Happy Holidays to you!!
Hi Marilyn, what a wonderful idea to paint the two finches for your friend. I am so happy you are finding my videos on here instructional. As you can see I am simply just being me, nothing more, nothing less. So hopefully I come across clear enough to help other like-minded people like us. Have a lovely Christmas, Paul 🎨
@@TheDevonArtist I would say that being you it's quite enough! You do come across smoothly and guiding in your teaching. Have a wonderful Christmas
Clear concise and inspirational, just what is needed to propel me in the right direction. Thank you.
That's a very nice thing to say, thank you. Paul 🎨
When I grow up I want to be just like you, it has to happen soon as I am almost76! Seriously having come to painting very late, this is the most relaxing video that I didn't want to stop , T he bird could fly off the paper. Oh well done Sir. . Marilyn Handley
Hi Marilyn, thank you so much for your very kind comment. I'm glad you like my videos here, and as you may have seen on my channel, there are now over 300 more for you to watch. Have fun. Paul 🎨
Wow! This lesson will be a very great help to me!!! Thank you!!
You're very welcome Anna 😊
Just found you! Oh my goodness, your tips and techniques are just what I need! Wish I'd found you months ago. Would have saved many of my attempts.
Glad it was helpful Dee, keep going and enjoy the process. Paul :-)
Thank you, beautiful nature wildlife!
Awesome animal anatomy! To you,
Blessings!
Thank you! You too Andrea 🤗
Wow just wow, I just found you. Your work is amazing
Thank you so much 😀
I wish we could attach a pic of our painting attempts to these comments. It’s the best bird I’ve done. Thank you!
Thank you Kate, if it's a painting from one of my video tutorials, then you can simply email it to me. Head to my website www.devonartist.co.uk to send it to me. Keep those brushes wet, Paul 🎨
❤❤❤❤❤❤ beautiful drawing
Thank you so much 😀
Thank you! Simply brilliant - your work is! I've learned an incredible amount from just this video, and my "feathers are ruffled with excitement" to learn to paint watercolor birds.
Glad it was helpful Wandering Violet, keep those brushes wet. Paul 🎨
Wow! Very helpful! Thank you very much for doing this video and sharing!
You're very welcome Leah. 😊
Stunning!
Thank you Cathy :-)
Thank you so much. I've been lost on how to create detailed botanical paintings. I adore doing this with coloured pencils but all the tutorials I've seen are for a looser style. This is what I need.
Hi Granny Annie, thank you very much. You could also use watercolour pencils to create a similar effect as well. Have fun! Paul 🎨
Amazing painting. I realize I need more patience.
You can do it, it's lovely when you sort of 'get into' a painting and time just seems to fly. 😀
What a fantastic tutorial! Learnt so much in such a short time. Thank you
Thank you so much Allison, glad you enjoyed my little video here. Paul :-)
Thank you for your valuable video. It was so easy to follow. I can now start painting feathers and fur with these awesome tips!
You are very welcome Deepthi, thank you for watching. 😀
It is so nice to get tips from someone who is left handed, as I am also a lefty and get in a right old muddle sometimes. But I am only a beginner and this is the first video I have seen of yours, I am also in the uk
Hi Janet, thank you very much. Yes, some of my website members are left-handed which is why one of the reasons they joined my lessons, hopefully for the way I paint as well. It is good to know that you have other lefties who place their paints and mixing palette on the left-hand side of the painting. Paul 🎨
I love what it paints so easily achieving a very natural shade. Thank you for sharing those very important techniques.
Thanks so much Julia 😊
Thank you so much. I am new at painting and I love painting birds. This lesson is very helpful.😂
You are so welcome!
thank you so much. TOTALLY CHANGED my mind about hyper realistic paintings.
That's very kind of you to say, thank you. Paul 🎨
Thank you.
You're welcome Jake :-)
Stunning work thankyou so much for sharing these tips.
Thanks so much Caroline 😊
Wildlife and botanical subjects. I'm in heaven 😌✨️✨️
That's very kind of you Sevvyen, thank you 😀
Beautiful! I just learned more about watercolor in this 20 minute video than in hours of watching others. You truly are an intentional and gifted artist. Somehow I figured out on my own how to do those little belly feathers, but now know how to add more dimension with what I’ve learned here. Tough work when you’re self taught, but I can never thank you enough for what I’ve learned today Paul. Blessings to you and everyone!
Thank you so much Rita, what a lovely and kind thing to say. 😀 I will certainly be producing many more like this in the near future. Paul 🎨
The way you paint feathers just amazes me! As a beginner it hard for me to know where the shadows go and trying to learn how as can look at ref photo and still think (should this part of petal have shadow color) and where! Tyvm.
Thank you very much. A little tip would be to have another copy of your reference photo but in black and white (or greyscale). This way, you can see the different tones from light to dark a little easier. 😉
This video may give you some ideas as well. :-)
czcams.com/video/hZrMCQ7ZH6Y/video.html
Wow!
Thank you Cat 😀
OMG, You sir paint so good, master, thanks for making this video, it's very helpful for us
Thank you so much Ivan, you are very welcome, Paul 😀
You have the most amazing way of giving details and explaining things, thank you for all you do!
What a lovely comment, thank you very much, you made my cheeks glow a little there. LOL Paul 🎨
Not only "good job" but I'm so glad to see the work being done by a "lefty" 🙂
I certainly am Larry, it just means everything is to my left-hand side rather than the right. I'm assuming you are a leftie as well. Paul 🎨
@@TheDevonArtist Yes, I am in my "Right Mind" as you are
You paint the most realistic eyes I have ever come across. Fabulous. All other illustrators do not compare when painting birds. One of these days, I will have to take lessons with you as birds are such pretty little things. I have many at my bird feeders. When it runs out, I swear they must sit silently in the trees waiting for me to fill because as I soon as i walk away, there they are. You are painting such a beautiful bird. You are also very informative.
Thank you so much Lady Hecate for your very kind comment. Yes, birds are always in our garden as well, especially in these cold weathered days when they certainly need a little more help with food and water.
I do have quite a lot of bird lessons on my website.
If you fancy a Free Membership, pop over there, join up and try the Robin. If you do please let me know how you get on. Paul😀
devonartist.co.uk/memberships/
So beautiful, thank you so much for generously sharing your painting tips with us.🥰
Hi Crystal, thank you very much, I'm glad this is helpful to you and your watercolour pursuits. Paul 🎨
What a highly refined watercolor painting techniques! Your painter's skills recreate nature in such an exquisite way that it seems the painting is alive ! To follow your lessons is an uplifting experience ! Thank you so very much !
Thank you, Nydia, for your very kind comment, I'm glad my videos helps you with this lovely medium of watercolour. Paul 🎨
wow thanks for the help to much to take in im 58 and ive all ways wanted to have a go at painting birds ive placed a order for watercolour paint set and some brushes so im going to have a go.all the best.never to old [so they say]
Hi Derek, you are not that much older than myself, so I'm sure you will be fine. It's a matter of starting as usual with the basics and getting to know how to paint with basically tinted water. LOL.
Start off learning some basics, then go from there. I do have a few videos on here that may help you along. Here is the link for you: bit.ly/3hfdB8e
Paul 🎨
@@TheDevonArtist meant to be 68 not 58 i wish ....time goes so fast thanks for reply.i will check out your vids thanks.
@@derekrobertson7912 You are as old as you feel Derek, mind you if that was true, I would be 110 now..... 😂
Amazing teacher, so glad i found you
What a lovely thing to say, thank you very much. Paul 🎨
☺☺🤗🤗Oh, I've just found my happy page, your Patreon page, my new happy place for my zebra finches and botanicals....I'm going to join for the month of January, surgery in Feb, but then I'll be back. I'm so anxious to start and want to do the best job I can in painting this gift. Thank you Paul!!!! Amazing.☺☺💞💞
Hi Marilyn, thank you so much! I look forward to seeing you on my Patreon channel in January, I know, let's get Christmas out of the way first! 😁 I'm so please my work helps you learn this lovely medium of watercolour, you know how much I love it too. Paul 🎨 www.patreon.com/TheDevonArtist
Your painting is wonderful, so relaxing to watch and listen to. So informative thank you.
Thank you so much Wendy. :-)
Hi, I am a beginner water colour painter, I find your name in Pinteres,I think you are amazing drawer and learn so much from you ,watching your tutorials over and over and try to copy your steps, nit there jet ,but I persevere, live your style so natural and just perfect !!!!
Thank you so much Liliana, I'm glad my videos are helping you learn this lovely medium of watercolour, keep those brushes wet for me please. Paul 😀
Brilliant tutorial, thank you. I need to go and try this out!
Please do and take it slowly when working on the feather layers. Paul 🎨
Would love to see a white cockatoo, like a Sulphur Crested or Umbrella. Your work is stunning, thank you.
Great suggestions Ellie, I will add them to my list. 😀
It looks so real and so good 👍 😍
Thank you Joey, that's very kind of you. 😀
A superb video with so much helpful advice and tips. Thanks very much.
You're very welcome, thank you for watching JJC
So glad l found you, absolutely love this type of painting, fine details. Your work is beautiful!
Thank you so much! That's very kind of you to say. 😊
Great work. There is no subject I like to paint more than birds! I'd like to note to any beginners: the white gouache should be a professional artist grade! You'll never achieve such vibrancy with cheap brands!
Thanks for the info Michael, I agree with you for the opacity of white gouache. I normally use watercolour white, but one which is classed as opaque. Paul 😀
Incredible composition by a kind and generous spirit! Your techniques are as good as the hands that perform them. Robt
Thank you very much indeed, that's very kind of you. 😊
Wow! I just watched your video. You are an amazing artist. I’m so happy that you came up as a recommendation. I’m going to binge watch many of your videos.
Thank you very much Mae, I do have hundreds for you to watch, so please grab a coffee and some popcorn first! ;-) Paul 🎨
This is my first time with you. I really like your technic. Amazing work.
Thank you very much!
So beautiful, thank you.
You are more than welcome. 😊
Great tutorial! Love the Tips on Painting birds!
Thank you very much indeed. Paul :-)
Amazing!! Love the tips, thank you!!
Glad you like the video, there's plenty more to come. Paul 🎨
i'd love to see a highland cow
I agree Siegfried, that is a really good suggestion and now added to my list. Thank you, Paul
Great video, just wished we could have seen more of the last technical details, would have liked to have seen the final picture.
Thank you for watching Angela. The main detailed parts are within the full length version of this painting on my website, see description below. But I will try to remember to add the photo of the painting as well in future videos, Paul 🎨
How wonderful . So beautiful and realistic .
Thank you very much for your kind words. Paul 🎨
Fantastic tutorial! Thank you so much!
You are very welcome Rafaela, thank you for watching my videos. Paul 🎨
What an absolutely brilliant tutorial!! I am in love with that bird and in love with your most excellent technique. You have really added excitement to my next painting with your teachings here. I’m so glad I found you. 👍👍💖
Thank you so much Susan, that's a lovely thing to say. Enjoy your painting, take your time and relax into it, you can do it. Paul 🎨
Wow nice tutorial. That’s what I need. You explained so well. Thank you
Glad it was helpful and thank you for watching, Paul :-)
So helpful glad I have found you’re channel beautiful 😍
Thank you so much!, it's good to have you here watching my videos. Paul 🎨
Great teaching! Layers of feathers, especially on larger birds, defeat me.
Glad you enjoyed it Diana 😀
very beautiful!
Thank you very much!
So lovely:) thank you:)
Thank you too! Paul 🎨
Thank you for a wonderful video with great tips and precise instruction. I've painted in oils and acrylic for many years and recently started watercolor, as a challenge for myself. I've stayed away from it 'cause it always seemed so difficult. (The paint to water consistency). As I near 70, I figured I've nothing to lose so I'm going for it. With instruction such as yours, I feel it is an attainable goal. I'm grateful for you.
Thank you so much Barb for your lovely words. Take your time learning how to use this wonderful medium, there's obviously lot's to learn, but as long as you take it one step at a time, you will get there. Most of all, enjoy yourself and have fun. Paul 🎨
@@TheDevonArtist Thank you for your encouragement. I love the detail in your work, as I'm more of a detail artist myself.Love those fine lines! It would be a REAL challenge to paint everything in a loose fashion. Best regards.
I agree, a loose style is not really for me either. Paul 🎨
I’d love to see how you paint the eye and those tiny white areas around the eyes. So real, so 3D. Would love this please
Hi Carol, this is mainly clips from my main video tutorial for my members on my website. Obviously I do go through painting the eye in every detail there. devonartist.co.uk/memberships/
I do have a playlist here on painting eyes as well, here is one i put together for painting a Barn Owls eyes. bit.ly/3jPr2sg
It's cool
Thank you :-)
This made my brain hurt a bit but it’s definitely super helpful and your result is beautiful. About to attempt my first feathered painting with the tips from this video🤙
Thank you very much Kdog, I'm glad my video here has been some help to you. Paul 🎨
Found your tutorial very instructive and especially appreciated the tip on preserving one's pencil marks with dilute paint and a fine brush. I have had to renew lines after a wash and this tip will eliminate some profanity.
Thank you Susan, yes preserving the lines does help, but you will need to reinforce them every now and again as you start to work towards darker colours. Paul 🎨
beautiful :)
Thank you 😊
Love this video's! Gertie Hoogma. The Nederlands. Thanks !
Thanks for watching Gertie!
Oh my goodness. I came looking for “How to paint fluffy feathers in watercolours” and found you. I have been painting for 2 years having started in lockdown. I am achieving fairly good results with house illustrations but I like to venture out and I am painting a greater spotted woodpecker for my brother for his birthday. I hadn’t realised how fluffy their chest feathers are. Well your video did not disappoint. I love illustration style. I can’t wait to try your technique especially turning the painting around. Do any of your tutorials cover tree bark by any chance ?
Hi Rose, thank you very much for your kind words, I hope the Woodpecker goes ok for you. As for videos on painting bark/wood etc, I do have a playlist showing you my techniques, here it is for you, enjoy, there's even a GS Woodpecker there as well, Paul 🎨 bit.ly/35z8Spe
@@TheDevonArtist thank you so much. I have nearly finished my woodpecker so I will concentrate on the bark now
Any chance you could teach us how to paint a Frizzle Hen? They have feathers that curl upwards all around the neck and on the body. Looks a little daunting to me but I am hoping you could make it look too easy for us! Thank you!!
Hi Sandra, what a lovely suggestion! I will certainly give it some though and add it to my 'possibles' list. It will be all about the planning and layers, starting with a watery consistency to begin with, gradually building up those details. Thank you for the idea, Paul 🎨
I just painted a watercolor bird and it doesn't have any of the feather details you have. My goodness, subscribed and going to learn your techniques! Your brush is eloquent! 🥰🎨 Cheryl
Thanks for subbing! I do hope you find my videos here on CZcams useful. This one on painting a Goldfinch may help you see the way I put a bird painting together as well. Paul :-) bit.ly/3pUDDgf
I'm looking for ideas for future CZcams videos, please leave your suggestions in the comments below, thank you.
Belted kingfisher
How to compose a scene w good composition
@@pibarrante6901 A lovely suggestion, thank you.
@@pibarrante6901 This is very true and one I will add to my 'to do' list, thank you. :-)
Like your white bird feathers. Would like to see how you would paint a white brahman cow🙂?Thanks. Sherry
Great suggestion Sherry, I will add it to my list of possible paintings. 😃
Hi Paul. I've only just discovered your channel and I'm finding EVERYTHING so interesting and helpful. Would you have any tips at all please on painting animal mouths so they don't look cartoonish?
Hi Miriam, thank you very much for your lovely words. I do have a video on here for painting the mouth of an otter. The techniques i used will be more or less the same for many other animals. I hope this helps, Paul 🎨
@@TheDevonArtist Thank you so much Paul. I'll check that out.
Hi Paul. Would you mind sharing the green colours in your palette. Also, do you ever change up your colours or do you mostly work from the same palette for your paintings. Thanks. It’s Chris from Toronto and you inspire me. I’m almost ready to commit to a couple of Patreon channels and when I do, you’re on my list.
Hi Chris, firstly thank you so much for following my videos on here, and for possibly joining my Patreon channel. Don't forget I do have a freebie section on there as well which you may be interested in trying out, before committing to a month by month membership. 😉www.patreon.com/collection/40729
As for the colours within my palette, I tend to use olive green and sap green, then occasionally leaf green and vivid green. I do obviously share all my palette colour with my Patreon members, but this will give you some ideas. Paul 🎨
Hi, Paul! How about a tutorial on how to paint a beautiful blue peregrine falcon?
Great suggestion Sharon! I have painted a Peregrine Falcon before as a commission, they do have quite a lot of detail within their feathers. Paul :-)
Thank you so much! This is such a beautiful painting! I was looking at the difference in your two schools..Pardon my lack of knowledge but I wonder what the PDF tutorials are like, are they video or print, and how much are they in $$. Thank you again, I really enjoy your videos!💕
Thank you so much Donna! All my PDF's as in written format but are also *VERY* detailed and contain many pages of information for anyone wishing to learn how to paint wildlife. I don't know the current conversion rate for dollars, but if you Google bit.ly/3d8FXNa you can easily see the price difference. My shop does convert this when checking out.
Plus.... Remember I have a 50% discount at the moment see bit.ly/38bZRnw
There are differences between my personal devonartist.co.uk/memberships/ website and my Patreon channel www.patreon.com/TheDevonArtist . The 80+ video lessons I have are the same on both websites.
I hope this answers your questions Donna.
Paul 🎨
Interesting. It's like you're using watercolor more like gouache.
I do sometimes, but still with the transparency properties of watercolour.
plz sugest the best brush brands
Hi Jon, here is a list of all the usual materials I use including the brushes, I hope this helps, Paul. 😃 devonartist.co.uk/materials-i-use-or-recommend-for-realistic-watercolour/
Beautiful art thank you for sharing
It's been 2 months that I'm struggling with watercolors and I couldn't get anything good ...
You can do it Rajaa! Give it a go and do what I do when things are not going the way you wish them to, smile and carry on, enjoy it. Paul ;-)
Amazing tutorial, you show so well all the steps, and I could detect you have a very calm approach and is very relaxing to observe your painting, I will try that, 00 brush look so small but for sure do the great job you did want to achieve ♡
Glad it was helpful Liliana, as you know I do have a full length 4.5 hours version of this tutorial on my website as well. ;-) bit.ly/3dkojEK
Thank you thought for saying I have a very calm approach, I tend to take as I think whilst painting, because I am far from a complicated person, I think in quite a non-complicated or arty jargon way, so I explain it as such. Paul :-)
I just found your video. I am glad I did. Have you done a Cardinal or a Parrot?
Thank you very much. Yes, I have painted a Red Cardinal and just completed editing it (full real-time video), ready for release to my members next month. We may put together a CZcams video using clips from this as I have with this lovely Fairy Wren at some point as well. Paul :-)
Great tutorial and lovely work, I see for your detailing do you work what on dry ? I didn't see you dampen or want the paper at all, that brings more crisp details ? Thank's regards from Greece
Yes I do Alexi, I tend to work wet on dry with a size 00 brush. As long as I don't overload my brush, i can work very fine for overlapping the details. Thank you for asking, Paul 🎨
@@TheDevonArtist Ok thanks for the info and tip, still a bigginer maternal mistake of "trying" to do detail wet on wet 😁 Your videos are great info and inspiration many thanks regards!!
@@alexitselentis7904 Thank you as well Alexi. :-)
how about tring a giant blue heron and/or an white egret
Ooh, the White Egret would be a lovely challenge to do, thank you Edward. Paul :-)
Can you also recommend a good brand of brushes? My fine ones don't hold water well.
The fine line brushes I use are listed on my materials page on my website, shop around though for the prices. They are not an expensive brush but still work very nice. Google - Rosemary & Co, Series 93 which are lovely brushes and at a very good price. Paul :-)
Excellent like always.! Paul, are you painting it on a 100% cotton hot press paper ? I am curious of knowing your preference to paint wildlife. Hot press vs Cold press ?
Hi Jorge, thank you for asking. No, this is a 100% wood free bleached chemical pulp, so really a mid-range paper. Cotton papers are lovely to use, but over the years I've just got used to the one I prefer which is Bockingford Cold Pressed. I have an image of this on my Materials page if it helps you identify it. Paul :-) devonartist.co.uk/materials-i-use-or-recommend-for-realistic-watercolour/
Wow this was helpful. I have trouble with detail. Specifically bushes and grass but really it’s any fine detail. I’m great at smooth washes which I suppose is a start.i shall have to try my small brush and tiny strokes and take my time.
Thanks for this amazing tutorial! Why do you paint the eye and beak before painting the outline?
Hi Maureen, thank you very much. I tend to paint the eyes and the beak more, so I have something in the way of 'life' to look at, before i start on the feathers. It's just something I have always preferred to do. Paul 😁
@@TheDevonArtist that makes sense! I tagged you on my Instagram-I sketched the fairy-wren and started painting the way you suggested. I’d already had some of the paint mixed from a blue heron. Great to connect and I look forward to more of your vids. I subscribed! Happy Saturday.
@@maureencberry I've just seen your little video clip on Instagram Maureen, it's looking good. Don't forget that I do have a very in-depth PDF step-by-step for this Fairy Wren as well. I'll pop my Etsy shop link below for you if you may wish to take a look.
Keep painting the way you are, Paul 😀 www.etsy.com/shop/DevonArtist
@@maureencberry Hi Maureen, yes I've seen your lovely video clip on Instagram, it's looking good!
I do have a very in-depth PDF lesson on how to paint this Fairy Wren. If you are interested, I will pop my link here for you. Keep painting the way you are, Paul 😀 www.etsy.com/shop/DevonArtist
Superb 👍👌 can we use acrylic colors?
Sadly not really, acrylics tend to be an opaque medium, where as watercolour is a transparent medium. 🙂
Love ur channel 💓
how do you fill in after you detail I have a hard time making it as smooth as I see that you do!
Hi Donna, I very often 'light' soften the details with a damp brush afterwards, or at least between the detailed levels. Paul 🎨
👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you :-)
What brand of white gouache do you recommend? No matter how thick mine is when I put it on the painting it always is a bit transparent and weak.
I don't often use white gouache as I use more watercolour white. But I have tried the Winsor & Newton Titanium white which worked very well. Paul :-)
What type of paper do you and what is the weight and is it smooth or rough
Hi Terry, I mostly use Bockingford 140lb, (300GSM) cold pressed paper in a block format. This is a medium textured paper. I do have a list of the materials I use, it may give you a few ideas. Paul 🎨 devonartist.co.uk/materials-i-use-or-recommend-for-realistic-watercolour/
what brand of white paint you used . plz inform
Hi Jon, here is a list of all the usual materials I use including the brushes, I hope this helps, Paul. 😃 devonartist.co.uk/materials-i-use-or-recommend-for-realistic-watercolour/
So at the very beginning before you started noticed the edges of the bird. You had a slight color surrounding the bird 🐦 but that wasn't mentioned or how you did that. What can you say about that, if any? Is it slight grey with white. Because I'm trying to do egrets which are already white to begin with and I don't want the edges to blend into the outer surface.
Hi Kathy, thank you. The background I added to the lower left was added at the very beginning, before I started painting the bird. I masked off the bird, then added the background. After all was dry, removed the masking fluid and painted the bird. I do go through the whole video step by step on my member's website as well, showing all of this.
Hope this help, Paul 🎨
Wonderful painting and excelent explanations.For me the música on the background si unnecessary .Slightly disturbing. Thanks a los from Spain.
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I'm never sure if the music I use helps or not. Some people like, others not so much. I think if i continue to use it, I will lower the volume somewhat. Paul 🎨
Hi, Paul! I am having trouble painting the texture of ruffled feathers on the kingfishers breast. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am getting discouraged at my lack of skill.
This is such a brightly coloured area Sharon, I'm assuming you are talking about our Kingfisher tutorial and not this Fairy Wren.
You need to approach it by first making up the chest colour to a weak wash of say cadmium orange/ scarlet lake and another colour of cadmium orange/ scarlet lake and burnt umber. Wet the chest allowing the water to soak into the paper then apply the first mix all over the chest. Whilst still wet, drop in the second mix for the darker tonal areas such as underneath the wing to give it a little shape.
Once dry work on your details by using the lightest colour mix first, applying these in fine overlapping crosses, darkening your mix with every layer of detail you add thereafter.
The key is to really study the photo closely and look for those tonal differences, patches of raised details such as small sections. Also, with the detail work on one small area at a time, you can do it Sharon. Paul 🎨
Thank you so much, Paul. I will give it another try. Perhaps I am applying the washes too dark.
I’m interested in owls uk
Thank you Peter. :-)
I also forgot to mention Peter that I do have a playlist on painting owls if it helps. bit.ly/2QvSwt4
I find it difficult by having too much water and controlling my stroke and colour. It is difficult to work on the layers once the 1st layer is on because the painting goes out of control....can you help?
Hi Patricia, I may be able to help a little, it's obviously tricky to do just by typing. One video I have recently uploaded is about using the water pots bit.ly/3hpQd5M
Also
Here is another video I put together for the use of testing strips, ideal to see how adding more water, waters down a colour and to see the tonal range of each individual colour you have in your
selection. bit.ly/3tSoPQj Hope this helps, Paul 🎨
How much would your videos benefit an acrylic artist like me??
Hi Stephen, as you know acrylic is completely different to watercolour with acrylic being a permanent opaque medium, compared to watercolour being a non-permanent transparent medium. But, you can still use the same techniques to a certain extent, it's all about trying the different ideas I use here and see which ones work for you.
@TheDevonArtist Thanks. Well for a start, I use various techniques, from keeping the paint a solid colour, or adding lots of water to be much more transparent like watercolour. I also use watercolour brushes instead of acrylic because I find them mush softer and far better for detail work.
Can you draw it
Hi Joey, I do have the outline drawing and the reference photo available to my Patreon members, alongside the full version of this little Fairy Wren. Thanks for asking. Paul 🎨
We get these little guys all around where I live. The females are very bland compared to the males. Nice representation
Thank you very much Anthony, they are lovely birds to watch and also listen too. Paul 🎨