Happy Sunday! ❤️
A quick post today with a sweet Cardinal that I painted a few months ago.
I hope you are inspired to create art and have fun.
Until next time, share a smile and shine on!
🌸 Patty Anne 🌸
Cardinal watercolor painting
Tag: cardinal
Updating a Winter Cardinal
While sorting through some paintings I came across a Cardinal that I painted three years ago. I liked the painting but something just wasn’t right so I never posted it. Today I’ll share with you how the update turned out.
Happy Sunday! 💚
This was the painting from 2018 before I made any updates.
Where I decided to make a few changes:
-the far side of the head should have a partial view of the other eye
-cleaning up the claws a little and maybe adding one that I noticed was missing
– a few darker areas on the tail and body
– bumping up some of the red color
9 x 12 inch Winter Cardinal – after the update
Rounding out the far side of the head and making the hidden eye slightly visible was exactly what this painting needed. That little change alone made a big difference. Now I can finally say this one is finished and I really like it. 🙂
I will be taking a blogging break for a few weeks and returning after the new year. I’m looking forward to spending time with family and making new cherished memories.
Wishing you peace and joy this holiday season,
Patty Anne
Quiet Thursday – sketching
A quiet post for you today with a few pieces from my sketchbook.
Happy Thursday! 😊
Waterlily sketch – using a technical pencil
Queen Anne’s Lace ink sketch – using Micron pens
Cardinal ink sketch – using Micron pens
I hope you are inspired to create art and do more of what you love.
Until next time, share a smile and shine on!
Patty Anne 💙
Backyard Cardinals
I’ve been enjoying the Cardinals at the backyard feeder. I have a few cute photos and a watercolor painting to share with you today.
Happy Sunday! 🙂
I think this pic is pretty cute but I’m not sure that he approved. Just look at his expression below. 😉
Um… hold on now, that’s not my best side.
There you go, that’s the shot you’ve been looking for. ❤
Once again, I had to contain my excitement long enough to snap these photos. I was lucky to have the window open and my camera ready when this male Cardinal stopped by.
I decided to try painting the 2nd photo above. I just love that look he gave me.
Sweet Cardinal painted on 7×10 inch Arches watercolor block using Daniel Smith watercolors
There are parts of this painting that worked well and parts that did not.
I didn’t quite get the tilt of his head, but that is ok. I’m very pleased with the background color and splash. I think there is always something to learn from each painting. The most important thing for me is having fun and enjoying the process.
Creating art and listening to music brings me so much joy. Thank you for stopping by and following along. I hope you enjoy seeing my art and are inspired to create and do something you love.
Until next time, share a smile and sprinkle kindness everywhere.
Happy Painting!
Patty Anne
Backyard Cardinal and watercolor
I snapped a cute photo of a female Cardinal on my backyard feeder. I thought it would be fun to paint this lovely bird and share my watercolor process with you.
Happy Sunday!
My painting inspiration and backyard capture… a lovely Cardinal ❤
I started thinking about the colors I would need for this painting while viewing the photo on my laptop. Below is a little test sheet with notes on the colors mixed and used.
Color mixing notes (Daniel Smith watercolors)
Orange: Quinacridone Rose and Hansa Yellow light
Brown: Yellow Ochre and Payne’s Gray
Red: Deep Scarlet and Payne’s Gray
Purple: Ultramarine Blue, Quinacridone Rose, and Payne’s Gray
The initial sketch and first light wash
With the first wash I put down enough color to define the overall shape and create a nice base to build on.
I just love her gorgeous feather tiara. 🙂 She looks like the queen of the backyard.
The second wash starts to bring things to life as I build up color and add some darker values. As you can see, there is still more work that needs to be done.
The third wash builds up even more color and includes the addition of a background. I thought it was finished at this point. But after the painting dried I decided it needed a few more small details. I used a black micron pen with a very small tip (.005) and a white gel pen for the additional details.
I also brightened up the green a bit in the background before calling this one done.
Watercolor Tips:
- Test out your colors on scrap paper first and write down notes on color mixing.
- When sketching on watercolor paper, be careful to use a light touch. I recently used some new paper and found that it easily became bruised from my pencil markings. I realized the problem only after I started painting…..lesson learned and a good reminder going forward.
I hope you enjoyed seeing my watercolor process and are inspired to create art.
Thank you for stopping by and following along. Until next time, share a smile and do something you love.
Happy Painting!
Patty Anne
Patty Anne - Art 