I am fascinated by cardinals,
every time I see one I feel like it’s good luck…
Today we’re going to paint one on a snowy branch with watercolor
But first,
I’ve got to share what I got for Christmas!
It’s a rolling storage bin with 6 large drawers
and it stores all my art supplies, keeping them organized,
neat, and oh so handy!
I absolutely love this cart!
{more details at the end of the post}
Ok, let’s start painting…
For this painting, start with the background first,
painting a dark swash of Prussian blue on the left,
then watering it down as you bring it across the paper
When that was dry,
I added the top of the head with Windsor & Newton Cadmium Red
A stroke to indicate the top feathers, then a stroke for the head
Next, a downward swoosh stroke for the body
Another downward stroke for his back and tail
Then filling in the head and body with a red wash
I let the paint dry between strokes because I didn’t want any bleeding
and when the red was dry
I added the beak with Windsor & Newton Cadmium Orange
I used a felt tip waterproof marker for the black area on his face
and used Windsor & Newton Burnt Umber
to make a quick stroke for the branch he’s sitting on
I indicated snowy areas with patches of Windsor & Newton Cobalt Blue
When the blue was dry,
I used a thick application of white gouache* for the snow
*gouache paint can be applied thick, like acrylic,
or it can be thinned with water to use like watercolor
I used a white gel pen to add snowflakes
and a black fine liner pen to add a few detail lines
“Cardinal on a Snowy Branch” 6″ x 5″ watercolor on 140 lb. cold pressed watercolor paper
Juicy Details:
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The storage bin is available on Amazon here
It’s perfect for rolling outside on pretty days,
or for rolling anywhere you want to paint or create!
I have my supplies arranged by mediums in the different drawers,
the top drawer holds my colored pencils and fine tip colored liner pens
Drawers #2 & #3 hold my markers, arranged by color families
In drawer #4 I have a set of gouache paint, and miscellaneous supplies
Drawer #5 holds my watercolor tubes and other watercolor supplies,
there’s even plenty of space for pads of paper,
brushes and towels on top of the paint tubes
The bottom drawer holds my pastels and all the supplies that go with them
If you spend some time organizing your supplies,
you will be much more productive,
and enjoy creating so much more
Here are some other ways to organize art supplies:
Have fun organizing and then start creating!
Be Fearless!
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Sundays on Silverado Love Your Creativity Over the Moon
Between Naps on the Porch, Celebrate Your Story,
All About Home/ Common Ground Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Turn About Tuesday
Full Plate Thursday Centerpiece Wednesday Creatively Crafty
Thursday Favorite Things Creative Cumpulsions Friday with Friends