My project for course: Artistic Watercolor Techniques for Illustrating Birds

My project for course: Artistic Watercolor Techniques for Illustrating Birds

I had just gotten some ducklings when I was starting this course, so I decided to use one of the photos I took of the ducklings as a reference for the tonal value exercise using charcoal. This is Daphne, a Silver Appleyard Duck. She is 4 days old in these pictures.

Once I was walking on a nature trail and found a sparkly earring caught in some underbrush. I was intrigued and wondered who left it there, whether it was left intentionally or accidentally, and wondering what happened to its mate.

I like the idea of three little birds investigating this situation and having their own wonderings. (Maybe they are wondering if they've found berries!)

On my first attempt, I added the branches after painting the birds and I ended up not entirely pleased with the composition. (I think the triangle-ish negative shape created by the intersecting branches is a little distracting). I played around with some dry brush strokes in the background and some tiny paint splashes. I also played around with a micron pen at the very end. I decided that for my second attempt, I wanted it to be a bit cleaner and softer.

On my second attempt, I figured out the branch placement first. I like how it turned out with a really soft, cozy feel.