Painting Birds in Watercolour

This practical book provides a path to understanding the behavior and structure of birds to be able to paint their character, covering topics such as materials, observation, drawing from life, and step-by-step demonstrations of watercolour techniques.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 19 July 2022
Publisher: The Crowood Press Ltd

This comprehensive guide delves into the art of capturing the essence of diverse bird species through watercolour painting. It celebrates the remarkable capabilities of watercolour as a medium, offering insightful guidance on how to effectively portray these captivating creatures. While not serving as a traditional field guide, this book instead provides a pathway to gaining a deeper understanding of bird behaviour and structure, enabling artists to authentically portray their unique characters in their artwork.

The book begins by providing essential advice on materials and getting started with watercolour, covering topics such as selecting appropriate brushes, paints, and paper. It emphasizes the importance of personal observation and drawing from life, encouraging artists to observe birds in their natural environments and capture their intricate details and behaviour.

Next, the book delves into the key features of birds and explores how to capture their behaviour in watercolour. It offers practical tips and techniques for rendering feathers, wings, and beaks, as well as capturing the dynamic movements and expressions of birds. Examples from major bird groups, including domestic fowl, birds of prey, and songbirds, are provided to showcase the versatility of watercolour in capturing the unique characteristics of each species.

To further enhance the learning experience, the book includes step-by-step demonstrations of watercolour techniques. These demonstrations showcase various painting methods, such as layering, blending, and using wet-on-wet techniques, to achieve realistic and vibrant results. By following these step-by-step instructions, artists can develop their skills and confidently create their own watercolour bird paintings.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, this practical book offers valuable insights and inspiration for capturing the character of birds through watercolour painting. It encourages artists to embrace the beauty and complexity of these fascinating creatures and explore the endless possibilities of this medium. So, grab your brushes, immerse yourself in nature, and let your creativity soar as you embark on a journey to capture the spirit of birds in your watercolour artwork.

Weight: 306g
Dimension: 241 x 173 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780719840814