SIMPLE WATERCOLOUR Tutorials on Birds - How to paint a watercolour woodpecker; Super Quick
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- In these QUICK & SIMPLE watercolour tutorials I talk you through the basic approach to painting birds in watercolours.
In this case we are keeping it super simple by only using two colours and really focusing on our brushstrokes and paint consistency; two elements that are at the heart of watercolour painting!
Woodpeckers, or more specifically in this case, a greater Spotted Woodpecker are one of the more instantly striking garden birds here in the UK.
Fascinating abstract shapes of black and white give us an opportunity to really enjoy making marks with the brush; really having fun with a brushstrokes and letting the watercolour paints just do their thing!
--- Line drawing (publicly available) ---
/ 43999108
/ tomshepherdart
You will also find the copyright free reference photo there, taken from pexels.com
--- Series Details ---
This easy to understand painting tutorial is designed for watercolorists of any ability or experience level.
I try to cover some basic watercolour theory that applies to all subjects, as well as some bird specific tricks & tips to help you improve and progress your own watercolour paintings.
I try to use a simple approach these watercolours as we are looking for great results but with freshness and excitement to the way we use the paint.
--- Materials ---
Colours:
Pyrole Red (warm and orangey. You could replace with Permanent, Napthol, Vermillion or Cadmium)
Pthalo Blue (very cool, you could replace with indigo or prussian)
Paper:
Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour paper (gummed block)
A3 size
Brushes:
Size 16 Round Faux Squirrel hair brush
Size 10 Synthetic round brush
--- Links to me ---
/ tomshepherdartist
/ tomshepherdart
www.tomshepher...
/ tomshepherdart
www.stitcher.c...
These painting tutorials are designed mostly for watercolorists, with a mixture of theory as well as some how to painting guides. We cover lots of foundational principles to help students progress their painting.
*Is there a bird you would like to see me paint?* Or do you have any other questions or topics you'd like me to cover?
If so, just leave them in the comments below!...Many Thanks, T
Hi Tom, a Barn Owl would be lovely in watercolour. Thanks for all of your line drawings and wonderful lessons, I've learnt so much.
@@carolmckinlay6625 ooo yes...lovely choice!! So glad you’re enjoying them!!:)
Aweee, loving this!
Thx a million for fulfilling with this my wish the other day 🙏
@@petragunther4439 my pleasure! Thank you for the request!!!:) I really enjoyed it :)
Pls look at my husbands blog for bird photos for reference pictures. He has been adding some gorgeous owls today. Briansbirding.blogspot.com
This guy looks a lot like our (USA) Acorn Woodpecker! Another fantastic tutorial! Thank you for sharing Tom!
Ahh yes, looked them up and can see similarity :) thank you ☺️🙌🏼
In all my years of watching UA-cam watercolor tutorials, you are among the best! I hope you continue on with new videos.
Wow...thanks Debbie. That’s incredibly kind!! Plenty of new ones to come :) Thanks for your support. T
Would like to see you paint a hummingbird.
Love your paintings of birds and your backgrounds are so fresh and spontaneous.
Thank you so much!!:) there is a hummingbird video on the channel from last year :) hopefully it’s what you’re after. T
More birds please adore your style
Lots more to come!:) thank you so much
I enjoy the way you describe your painting process. Thanks for your dedication!
Thanks so much! I really appreciate the kind words. T
I totally enjoyed watching you paint this bird. Thanks for the great video!
Thanks Lorraine!!:)
Fabulous woodpecker. The blue really pops the painting 😍
Thanks Sarah...I just love Pthalo blue for that exact reason :) It's so "poppy" and "punchy"..
I just found your videos two days ago and have learned a lot about watercolor painting. Love all your commentary as you paint. You explain everything as you go and paint in real time so I can see your brush strokes. Fabulous videos, thank you so much Tom!
My pleasure!! So pleased it helps and I really appreciate the kind words and support ☺️🙏 T
Another great tutorial, thank you
Many thanks Darren!! T
Great videos. Love your style.
I’d love to see how you’d paint a more detailed bird,such as a curlew.
Thankyou.
Thanks so much. I think Curlew is on the list, but if not I’ll pop it on!!:) T
Thoroughly enjoying the series Tom. Just what I was looking for. Funnily, woodpecker is one of the birds on my to do list and haven't got there yet. Loved this vibrant rendering. Mark making is possibly why I love painting so much. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us.
Thanks so much fir a great comment. They are brilliant fun to paint. My pleasure. Thank you for the support!
great stuff 👏
☺️🙌🏼🙏
Can you paint a Tui bird NZ. You're an amazing watercolor painter. I love your style.
Absolutely...that will be a fun one! There are many NZ birds I would love to paint actually. Particularly the Keas, even if they're a bit obvious!;) T
Thanks again Tom. I’m trying to pluck up the courage to paint the jackdaws that nested in our chimney last summer. My drawings have been ok but wonder how you would approach painting them. I really like painting hawk type shapes ( like seagulls .... I know they are not hawks ! ) also I’m not sure if it’s possible in your ‘tips’ to encourage us to get over .... the fear of a blank piece of paper 🥴🥴 love your videos
my pleasure! Ah, yes, great fun to do...I will pop them on the list for an upcoming video. You could certainly get away with just two colours or three colours to create soft greys and deep darks when needed....I would tackle the lightest grey first, all over maybe, then drop in the darker tones into the very darkest areas and let them melt together, trying reserve that little patch of grey and the back of the neck.....if you get a nice accurate drawing and use this approach, you might be pleasantly surprised at how simple you can make them :)
A Steller's Jay, please. The combination of black and electric blue is difficult to not overwork!! There are so many where I live!
Oo I like the sound of that!!!:) it’s in the list...thank you!!:) T
Hello Tom, I am enjoying your videos immensely, and painting along. I do have one problem. As many have advised, i have gone for high quality paints, in just a few colors, rather than cheap student quality , but lots of colors. That being said, Im not sure what to use when you recommend colors i don’t have, and don’t even know what they look like. I have a cool and warm version of red, blue yellow and green. Could you please give som3 guidance? Thank you !
That’s great to hear you’ve gone for good quality paints! Well worth it:)....with a cool and warm of each primary, you can easily swap out colours i mention...for example in this one it’s a cool blue and warm red. And you could get it exactly the same results (maybe not quite such a vibrant blue background, but you could try a different colour or introduce a warm blue as well)...so for example, Prussian blue and cadmium red would give exactly same results....if you let me know what colours you have, I’m very happy to advise!!:) T
Have you painted the cardinal?
I tired once and totally fluffed it!! But I’ll pop one on the list and give it another go!! Thank you :) T
Wood Duck please!
Just popped it in the list!! Thank you :) T
Hello from North America! Ohio, part of midwest. Would love to see a chickadee and anAmerican Robin. I am loving your instructions, Tom! Thank you!
@@drmom1953 Hi there.,..Ive just popped them both on the list! Thank you :) So funny, I was literally looking at an american robin yesterday and thinking what a great subject!!;)
A flamingo
Theres a couple of flamingoes all ready:) but hey,I don't mind doing another one!!;)
A Robin
Thank you...I’ll pop it on the list. T