A Wintery Watercolor Cardinal

Watercolor and gouache on 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper, 9x12”

Blank greeting card prints of this painting are available online or in store at Quinn’s Mercantile.

The Subject

Cardinals, or “red birds,” are often seen as a symbol of comfort and healing. They are the state bird of seven states and are among the most recognizable birds in North America. I love seeing cardinals outside my window in the wintertime, and I wanted this painting to playfully capture the delight I feel when I see one.

The Process

Lately I have been feeling very inspired by the work of Kiley Busko (check out her shop). After watching a few of her instructional videos online, I started with a quick sketch of the bird. I used a #8 round brush to add layers of red to the body, starting with a very light pink wash. When I was satisfied with the intensity, I added the facial details and outlined the wings and back with a #1 round. I used white gouache for the catchlight.