435 Free Bird Watercolors from the 19th Century

Get inspired by these watercolors of North American birds as an introduction to naturalist illustration

If you have the opportunity to escape to the mountains or spend some time in a park with your paintbrushes, do not miss it. It’s the best way to make the most of watercolor when painting botanical and naturalist illustration. If, however, what you really like is painting birds, you will need a great deal of patience, as they can spread their wings at any moment, and leave you halfway through your composition.

In addition to working from observation, you can use reference images to practice painting birds from other countries, and even from other eras. Birds of America gives you this opportunity: a journey into the natural world of the 19th century. Printed between 1827 and 1838, this free resource contains 435 life-size watercolors of North American birds, all reproduced from hand-etched plates. Its author, John James Audubon, America's first ornithologist, is considered the original wildlife illustrator.

Birds of America painted like never before

Audubon collected all his pieces in a book called Birds of America, of which only 100 copies are currently in circulation. One of them is among the 11 most expensive volumes ever auctioned, fetching 8 million US dollars in 2012.

"An important natural history document, it is also one of the most visually impressive works of art in the world," explains Roberta Olson, curator of the drawing section of the New York Historical Society. This institution holds Audubon's original watercolors, whose engravings were used to create the book.

It is thanks to this institution that these watercolors of birds and their environments are accessible to everyone. They have created a collection in their digital library that includes 435 bird paintings available to ornithologists and creatives looking for inspiration. Each print is also available as a free high-resolution download.

Audubon's Journey to Illustrate Birds

It took 11 years, from 1827 to 1838, for the naturalist to reach all corners of the United States and study birds that had been overlooked in earlier American ornithology books. Most had focused on East Coast species, but he wanted to explore the sky further.

His idea was to sell the prints by subscription in installments of five. To make them attractive, he decided that he had to represent the birds in their actual size. Audubon used the largest paper format available at the time, the Double Elephant, measuring 977 x 645mm. For this reason, birds taller than one meter adopt strange poses in some instances.

The ornithologist was so involved in his mission that he came to identify 25 new species of birds during his research. Encountering the “citizens of the feathered tribe,” as Audubon liked to call them, is a feast for the senses.

The author, without formal scientific training, understood the importance of capturing the physiognomy of birds in detail. He depicted each species in their habitat as they carried out their natural activities. Previously, illustrations were based on dead specimens.

Watercolors explained by their author

In addition to experiencing the artistic value of the digital files, you will be able to read the comments that Audubon noted while illustrating each bird. When reading the texts, it is almost as if the artist himself presented them to you.

Thanks to his passion and meticulous work, we are able to appreciate what American wildlife looked like in the 19th century and get inspired.

An article published in Christie's magazine, the house that auctioned one of the copies of Birds of America, states that "the engravings are rigorously ornithological but strangely anthropomorphic. You get the feeling that you know these birds, that they are old friends".

After taking a look at the collection, you may think the same.

What is naturalist illustration, and how to draw it?

Art and the natural sciences have long been connected, thanks to naturalist illustration. Since the 16th century, naturalists took part in scientific expeditions or were dedicated to investigating nature independently. Thanks to the preserved drawings of these discoveries, knowledge of the natural world remained safe, and the foundations of modern science could be laid.

If you like to observe and draw nature, in this article you will discover features of naturalist illustration and its fundamental steps. You will also see how it differs from scientific illustration because although the difference is subtle, they do not share the same purpose.

Essential Steps of Naturalist Illustration

So that you can explore naturalist illustration, we have put together the four essential steps of this discipline’s creative process:

1. Learn to observe like an illustrator. Careful observation is key. This stage allows you to take in the necessary elements that inspire you. Take your time and record all the details.

2. Seek inspiration. It may not always be possible to see these creatures in the flesh and in their natural habitat. Today we can rely on many resources such as documentaries, books, and photography on the Internet. If you have the opportunity to draw immersed in nature, you will, of course, be able to find inspiration there. Remember that you can use your imagination to create your version of animals and plants.

3. Spend time sketching. Sketching acts as a bridge between observing a three-dimensional object and representing it on a two-dimensional surface. Dedicating time to this stage will help you achieve better results as well as decide on colors.

4. Add finishing touches to your illustration. To define certain elements, such as the plumage or the beak, you may need to use other techniques or materials. Explore all the possibilities until you are satisfied with your composition.

If you wish to explore all of Audubon’s drawings in high resolution, check out the National Audubon Society digital archive website.

Although many years have passed since the time of the first naturalists, this illustration technique is still an excellent way to learn about our environment. In addition, it is also an opportunity to learn to draw and spur our creativity. If you want to discover more about naturalistic illustration from the hand of experts, check out any of the courses on the subject on offer at Domestika.

English version by @acesarato

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