Ep 3 - QUICK & Simple Watercolour BIRDS - How to paint birds & wildlife

[@peterplantec7911]

Magpie…yes, my favorite, bird. One of the most intelligent and communicative wild birds. Living in the high country of Colorado we had many, but one in particular was my buddy. When he was but a fledgling he used to sneak up on me and steal shrimp as I fed my Koi. Eventually I fed him by hand. We bonded..seriously. Over the years he became leader of his flock of 14-16 Maggies. When the snow was deep he would frly around the house to the room where we slept and peck on the sliding glass window until I got up. Ne’d then fly to the kitchen where his entire flock awaited us. With two feet of fresh snow it was problematic. The food would sink into the light powder and disappear. Maggie would land on the top and sink in to his wings, he’d flutter them to compact the show enough to hold some bread and seed. His flock would emulate his behavior. I loved him so much and he loved me. On the last day of his life Maggie flew to my kitchen glass door and pecked. He looked awful. I gave him some love but he rejected food. I had tears in my eye because he was clearly in bad shape. I patted him on the head and he flew over my garden wal and died in flight. I have a tear in my eye as I write this and that was 22 years ago. He landed in my driveway and we hurried him with honors. Such depth of personality and intelligence. He will be forever missed. I will paint his in remembrance.

[@johnchoobe]

Dude, these tutorials are great! Just the right pacing and amount of instruction, easy to follow and paint along - hard to find this kind of lesson online

[@tomshepherdartist]

Ahh, thanks so much John! Really appreciate that feedback...n glad your enjoying them!!!:) Thanks for support!!!! :) T

[@avanellehansen4525]

A lady visited Picasso's studio. She exclaimed, "Oh Pablo, yiu made the woman's arms too long!" Picasso replied, " My dear , that us not a woman, it is a PAINTING!' I love your loose style that allows for watercolor's ebergy at it's best!

[@roslyncoward3222]

Hi Tom, I'm new to watercolour and I'm so happy to have found your channel. I really like your style, I love that loose, drop some paint in, style and I love that you are featuring birds and animals in your work. The icing on the cake at the end of this video was your brush lesson, so very helpful. There are so many brushes/materials when you start you don't know which way to go. I particularly liked that you said synthetic brushes are good now, I didn't really like the idea of using squirrel! Thank you for a great video, you have a new subscriber!

[@TheLittleEconomist]

I am loving this series on birds and learning so much. I love that your style is not overly fussy. I realised in the brush section (I only use synthetics too) that my brushes have been too wet to get the broken dry brush effect I’ve been looking for. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m learning and not copying.

[@christinefalconer8886]

Gorgeous painting. Very inspiring tutorial. Thanks so much Tom. Really appreciate your videos 😊

[@van_creative]

You're a wonderful artist and teacher. Loving these bird tutorials

[@sarahwood7953]

Im really enjoying these after the traumas of homeschool!! A lovely way to chill at the end of the day. Thankyou!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thanks Sarah! Wonderful to here these are helping with a tough time!!!:)

[@kathrynwoolcock4943]

Thanks so much for the quick tips Tom, so helpful. I love these loose, quick birds, thanks again 😊😊

[@netacarter6665]

You are so good! Look forward to painting this bird tomorrow!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Ahh thank you!! Enjoy ☺️🙌🏼

[@jeanettebaumann8099]

I really appreciate your generous sharing of technique. Your natural presentation is refreshing!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you so much for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it! T

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you so much for the kind words. So glad you enjoyed it! T

[@jamesdouglaswhittaker1811]

Your skill and enthusiasm are infectious and hugely informative. Thank you. An especial thanks from an 87year old ‘dangerously vulnerable ‘living alone and under various. isolations for the major part of the last year. I recently returned to ‘art ‘ after a 60+ year gap frustrated at being unable to do what I could do when in my 20’s. Your skill, enthusiasm are hugely informative but your presentation is

[@jamesdouglaswhittaker1811]

Sorry big fingers - wrong button ..... your presentation is so encouraging and easy to follow that I seem have made some real progress and am much encouraged. Early days and some way to go yet but I am grateful to you ,

[@tomshepherdartist]

Hi James, thanks so much for a lovely comment! I am so pleased to hear all of this. Not only that it has helped during what must have been a tough time to say the least, but also that it has helped to improve your own painting, and have fun doing! - it honestly makes sharing all of this so worthwhile for me - thank you! Keep it up, art is such a wonderful pursuit!!!:) Kind Regards, Tom

[@sarahdelamare4296]

Thank you so much, great to watch it coming together. Had a bash was fun. Tone and flow really engaging, will watch the others when minis will allow me time.

[@tomshepherdartist]

Those minis!!😅 brilliant, so glad you enjoyed it...and have it a bash!!🙌🏼

[@CD-pu9yh]

I love this style. Your tips were so helpful. Will try and experiment with my brushes now. Thank you

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thanks so much!!!:) T

[@jubileej1629]

I have started incorporating your art style in my art and its going so beautifully. Thanks for this Tom

[@smitasrivastava6912]

It's hard to find this kind of tutorial I'm glad to find thanks

[@tomshepherdartist]

Ahh, so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you :) T

[@peak14110]

I can't believe you only have 686 subscribers. These are awesome tutorials! Very thoughtfully done. Thanks Tom

[@tomshepherdartist]

thanks Jason! Really appreciate that :) T

[@william123-asdf]

@@tomshepherdartist You've got quite a few more now. :)

[@vgarrick987]

Thank you so much for your videos and quick tips...I have learnt a lot...I like the way you drag your brush leaving the specks of white paper...your magpie is beautiful.

[@nancyborchert1631]

❤ Loving this series of bird paintings! Just the right amount of drawing instructions, paint consistency and the eye in this one is so alive! Great tip!

[@ailishdeburca]

Wow! Looking forward to trying this. Thank you so much for sharing your gift 💝

[@peejaypayney]

Youre enthusiasm/style/technique is incredible 👍

[@tomshepherdartist]

thank you so much!!!:)

[@armandosrd.l9610]

Man, you make the kind of brushstrokes that I like to do. Just subscribed to your channel. You paint very loose and pretty. Thanks Creerse from Mexico.

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thanks so much fir a lovely comment!! Lovely to connect with some one out in Mexico!!☺️🙌🏼

[@HerrCrocDoc]

Birds + abstract, quick watercolor = just what I want to do... not quite where I would like to be but I'm making progress toward my goal of adding 5 minute watercolor illustrations to birds in my field notes. I'm really enjoying this process of learning and your style of teaching works so well for me. Thanks, Tom!

[@tomshepherdartist]

hi ya Karl...that sounds great. I think painting in the field in watercolour is really exciting, and this approach certainly helps..all though is probably a bit slow!! ha!

[@sophiacheung1878]

Looking forward to new tutorial, thanks so muchhhh,nice painting. would like to know how to paint a hope next time

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you so much!:) Did you mean a hoopoe?:) T

[@susanmiddlebrook5882]

Tom, I love your painting! So much life, freedom and style in every tutorial I’ve watched! I love the way you use color, water flow and deft strokes to express the essence of your subject. Your method is so different than anything I’ve seen on KZbin thus far. I’m a newbie at watercolor and have been studying many approaches and methods to fine my way in this medium. I find yours quite exciting and expressive. Thank you so much for sharing your tutorials. I so appreciate your art!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Hi Susan, thank you so much for such a lovely comment, and kind words. I really appreciate it! And furthermore, I’m so glad you’ve been getting something out of the tutorials. There’s a lot to wade through when you start, but I think best advice, as well as studying and practice, is to really focus on enjoying exploring your subjects and getting to now the medium!! T

[@TeriKozeluh]

Thank you so much for your tutorials and your generosity in sharing your sketches. I’m looking forward to seeing if I can learn to paint birds!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thanks so much!!:) T

[@rebeccawong1]

U r a gem … to me anyway. Thank u🙏🏻

[@tomshepherdartist]

haha thank you!! Very kind :) T

[@twilightincosmos]

Which brand of brush did you use in this video?

[@robinsusich4247]

Thank you for sharing your sketches. They are such a great help for those of us learning the craft.

[@tomshepherdartist]

My pleasure. So pleased they help. T

[@sherizapara2992]

Thankyou!! Such great tips on painting birds!

[@adamseward358]

That was excellent. I loved the way it all just came together and you really pack these tutorials with lots of useful information. Looking forward to trying this.

[@tomshepherdartist]

Cheers Adam! Much appreciated. Thank you for the support, as always!:) T

[@JRLNeal]

Thanks so much for your videos Tom. You have such a great loose style and your explanations are clear and informative. One of the best.

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thanks so much for the kind words, John. Much appreciated, as is your support! T

[@lindathaxton1994]

That was soooo fun & turned out so good! Thank you for sharing

[@tomshepherdartist]

So glad to hear this!! Thank you ☺️🙌🏼

[@johnrdoe108]

I've painted this twice now try again tomorrow. Thanks for sharing Tom.

[@tomshepherdartist]

Oh no...stick at it! Good luck :) T

[@deannabates1575]

I love the way you explain things. Thank you!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you so much!:)

[@NetworthPlus]

It's necessarily fun way to paint, loved it gona try for sure

[@tomshepherdartist]

thanks so much! Good luck :) T

[@VanessaPatricio]

Your art is wonderful!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Ahh, thank you so much:) T

[@glyniswilkinson3247]

Brilliant work and I’m enjoying your teaching style . Thanks

[@tedrosbasil6585]

Love your work and am inspired to challenge myself with watercolours!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Tedros Basil thank you!! That’s really great to hear 😁🙌🏼

[@CCLinGameOnABC]

Your enthusiasm came through the screen. Great instruction along with the demonstration convinces me that I may be able to paint one myself! It may be also helpful if when you were explaining the color choices which was precious to understating color mixing, maybe showing the actual palette on the side of the screen may be also helpful. Seeing colors on palette gives a clearer picture of what the colors look like for beginners. Love. Love. Love the quick tips at the end of the tutorial! I also love some synthetic brushes because they give a nice bounce and carry enough watercolor to finish a few strokes. Great tutorials!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you so much for a great comment! So glad you enjoyed. Definitely good to have palette in shot, I’ve tried to do that more in recent ones. Thank you :) ...I know how important it is!!:) I agree regards the brushes too. I really love them!!:)

[@omarims]

you have your own beautiful style. It also reminds me of Karl Martens style

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you!! Oh i love Karl Martens work..just wonderful!!:)

[@michellevas9266]

Thank you so much for the excellent tutorial

[@tomshepherdartist]

You're very welcome! Thank you for the support! T

[@annikaglavstedt5588]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️❤️❤️Love the eye!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you!!:) T

[@odditiesetc7214]

This is really amazing. Thanks for this lesson. Learning so much 😀

[@tomshepherdartist]

My pleasure!! So glad you got something from it!!☺️🙌🏼

[@stacys447]

Super tutorial! Thank you!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you!!:)

[@meeperville]

Tom! I love your painting style... especially how you've mastered using watercolor brushstrokes to represent feathery "stuff". I'm a follower!!! Thanks!

[@tomshepherdartist]

meeperville thanks so much!!! I appreciate the kind words...and the follow 😁🙌🏼

[@carolmckinlay6625]

Thanks for this informative and helpful video, I like magpies and really all birds. I like the confident and loose way you use your brush stokes, I will be trying this one tomorrow.

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thanks so much Carol. I appreciate your kind words! Good luck when you give it a go. Please feel free to share the results if you would like to, and ask any further questions if needed. T

[@lindathaxton1994]

Livonia Yanconsky recommended you for GOOD reason!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you for popping over to take a look :)

[@sucynnechelim4859]

I subscribed because I find your artistic style fascinating (I just might give it a try)! Birds are such beautiful creatures and you portray them very well with just a few simple strokes! Awesome learning content! 👏❤️ Plus I always liked the English accent! 😁

[@tomshepherdartist]

Haha brilliant! Thank you so much for a lovely comment!!☺️🙌🏼🙏

[@leeannisafriend]

Thank you. I learned so much watching you paint and what supplies to use. So glad I just found your channel

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thanks so much...so nice to hear it helps!!:) T

[@junemaguire9988]

New to art love this thank you

[@maggiefreeman6513]

Great tutorial. Thank you!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thanks so much Maggie. I appreciate the kind words!!:) T

[@Artistandkeepsakes]

Brilliant

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you!! T

[@Idumab]

Awesome tutorial. Thank you so much!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you so much :) T

[@Lily-2019]

💕I LOVE him❗👏

[@MrVinodnagar]

Really very beautiful 😍

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you!!!:)

[@riversidedesigner1358]

Incredibly beautiful. Would love if you would share which brushes and paper you are using, as the broken strokes are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing your work!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you...I use the rough texture paper and a synthetic brush. The paper in particular helps with the broken brushstrokes :) T

[@catrionapatience7684]

Great tutorial thank you!

[@tomshepherdartist]

my pleasure!! Thanks for your kind words and support!!;)

[@TheMoodyArtistChannel]

Thank you for sharing! Fully watched. Stay Safe. Stay Connected.

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you!!! :)

[@jajabor..seemanoolkar6748]

amazing

[@tomshepherdartist]

thank you so much!

[@sarahgranville]

Thanks for sharing. What make brushes do you use? Interesting that you can get so much versatility from synthetic brushes.

[@tomshepherdartist]

:) Modern synthetics are incredible, I can't tell the difference in the way I work with the Faux Squirrel and Sable ones. I don't know how they do it...I use the Princeton Neptune Series (faux squirrel, super soft), I just started using a big mop by Escoda, the Ultimo. Again synthetic but really soft and holds tons of water and paint. And i've just tried out Raven Synthetic by Jackson's. Like a mini mop..love it.....then for a stiffer more springy brush for details and dry brush, I use a Pro Arte Prolene (totally standard nylon brush, but a nice one)...still trying different brands every so often...but I love these ones at the moment :)

[@sarahgranville]

@@tomshepherdartist thanks for taking the time to reply... twice 🙄🙈 lots of useful info. Will check them out. Thanks Tom. Have you painted a pheasant? Would be nice to see x

[@tomshepherdartist]

@@sarahgranville no problem!!;)....pheasant is all ready on teh request list ;) be next couple :) looking forward to it!! T

[@omarims]

great 👍

[@tomshepherdartist]

thank you!!:)

[@davidphilipsmusic]

Get that Fender fixed up Tom!! ;-)

[@rhondi123]

❤

[@tomshepherdartist]

:)

[@DeanPilgrimPhotography]

Can't wait to give this ago. I love the Raven and u love your style. Magpies have always been a favourite of mine, in fact all the corvids they are so smart. Can I ask are you using cold pressed paper?

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thanks Dean!! I’ve been a massive corvid fan since being a kid!! I am indeed using compress, I like paper with a rougher texture, in fact the rougher the better for me. Thanks for the support. T

[@elnazlashgari1992]

Thanks a lot, graetttttt

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you!!:)

[@user-ko8hp1rc6y]

I would it if you painted a Blackbird and a Chough. please?

[@christieauyeung9492]

How do you manage to keep your paper wet for so long? Especially if I'm trying to create broken strokes, I find I have to use a drier brush, but then my paper dries too fast to come back in with a wet in wet technique 🙁

[@tomshepherdartist]

Hi Christie...my paint stays wet in part down to the paper I use. It's 100% cotton which stays wet longer, plus it's the rougher texture which also tends to stay wet longer....you can lightly spray work with mister if it;s really hot.....Regarding the broken brushstrokes, dry brush is easier. However you can achieve the same with a wetter brush with a quicker lighter brushstrokes...hope that helps!:) T

[@philiperibeiro1067]

lindo

[@tomshepherdartist]

Thank you!!:)

[@edhubble]

What happened to your guitar, Tom?!

[@tomshepherdartist]

Ha! Took it apart to clean and repaint it. I use to paint and build guitars before I moved to this type of artwork :)

[@CLOUDSINTHEKITCHEN]

I can’t draw so will trace your birds if ok... thanks

[@tomshepherdartist]

Of course!!!:)