Bluebird in Watercolor

Watercolor on 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper, 6x6”

The Subject

Bluebirds are considered a symbol of happiness and joy. Although males get a lot of attention for their striking blue, I think the females are just as beautiful in their more subtle red and blue attire. I wanted this painting to capture the joy and spontaneity I feel whenever I see a bluebird.

The Process

The painting process was quite a bit easier than I anticipated. I began by sketching a light outline of the head and part of the body on 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper. I added the blue mid-tones, starting with the head and back. Then I added the shadows, blacks, and the belly. I overlayed the red breast with a glaze of yellow for pop, added some paint droplets for fun, and used white gouache for finishing touches around the eyes.

A note about brushes:

These are my current favorite watercolor brushes. I love the carrying case and soft grip handle. If you are an on-the-go watercolor painter, you might like to try these brushes. If you are just getting started with watercolor, this is a great set to get you going!