My project in Artistic Watercolor Techniques for Illustrating Birds course

This is my first watercolour for about 25 years and the jurys out! lol. Firstly its on cheap watercolour paper if that affects anything. My main problem is identifying the colours. If its paint straight out of the tube, no problem..... but I struggle to mix a shade exactly to the reference picture, so a lot of this is trial and error and compromise. If it looked relatively ok I left it, even if its not the same as the photo. I'm not a huge fan of the drips and drops on the background. You can see I even smudged them out a bit with tissue as I felt they looked quite harsh (probably my application rather than the principle). I think this picture has given me the confidence to persevere and if it's allowed, I might post an additional picture in a few weeks after a lot more practise!

As for the course, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also did the charcoal course with Sarah which I can highly recommend. I love the informative, non patronising approach that Sarah takes. I will definately practise what she has tought me and hopefully get better! :)