Monday 11 July 2011

Garden birds

Some of our visitors have feathers!   Usually it's seagulls as we are at the sea, but we are very lucky to get all manner of birds including the thrush, wren, blue tit, green finch, sparrows, jackdaw, the list goes on!!

I have sketched one or two this morning, but from my photographs as they do not stay still long enough for me to sketch them in person. 

Jackdaw


Green Finch

For each bird I loaded my No. 12 sable watercolour brush with lots of delicious paint - believe me it really is oozing paint



and with one stroke I make a preliminary shape



this example is just to show you what I initially do as obviously it is different for each bird (depending on colours and markings) but I'm sure you get the idea-

I then wait for the paint to dry and then go in with
more detail and colour, which usually is enough



I do find that this gives them a loose style which
adds to the impression of movement


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15 comments:

robin cox walsh said...

These are all so charming! You are getting quite a collection of aviary sketches. Let me know when the book is available, I’d love to buy a copy!
Serioulsy, have you ever thought of selling your sketches on ETSY?

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Robin! I have looked at the Etsy site in the past, but didn't know whether to sell through it or not - perhaps I should look again....ann

Judy said...

I love the bird sketches! Interesting to see how you painted them, love this brush! I have a family of these yellow ones in my garden, don't no their English name.

Crystal Cook said...

Ann I LOVE these!! I've been striving for a loose and fresh look in my work this year and this is just plain inspiring. Really lovely work. :) And if you are interested in selling your work, I'd look into the Daily Paintworks site, similar to etsy, but only focused on fine art. . . I'm realizing that you've probably heard of it, I think the whole artistic plan has. Anywho, enjoyed the post!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Hi Judy - so nice to get all this feedback - the english name for the yellow and blue bird is the blue tit.


Hi Crystal - glad you like the paintings and that they have inspired you. It makes all this worthwhile when that happens. I'll look at the Daily Paintworks site too, thanks for that.

bohemiannie! art said...

Ann - these birds are wonderful - alive. I love seeing your process...and I agree - check out sites where you can sell your work!!!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Annie. I enjoy sharing the painting process... (oh and I'm looking into Etsy and Daily Paintworks!)

Shammickite said...

Lovely bird sketches, you are so talented! And so lucky, to have all those birds coming to your back yard.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Hi Shammickite - thanks very much for dropping by. I'm working on more sketches which I'll post shortly.

Ash said...

Beautiful sketches. I agree with Shammickite, you are very talented!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thank you Ash. I really appreciate your visit....ann

Krista/Ruca said...

Ann, I love how you did these. It makes for very lively and fresh paintings. Thanks for the inspiration to continue to try to keep it loose. It's definitely a lesson in less is more.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Ruca. It's nice to share this process.

Geri said...

Love these little birds - so sweet! Thanks for joining artsee bloggers!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Hi Geri, Thanks for dropping by. I look forward to Artsee bloggers and seeing what others do with their art....regards ann.