How To Paint A Bird In Watercolor (use THESE Do's and Don'ts!)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Let me know which of these tips you liked best and try this video next: How to use Watercolor Pencils (10 EASY Tricks!) kzbin.info/www/bejne/barVcptsds6Jgck

[@miriammolloy5900]

Thanks Michelle i think i will try watercolour and pencils for one month i get overwhelmed with all different mediums but its great experimenting.x

[@bethrossiter1857]

oh the background tips for the win!! thank you 😁

[@victoriad2325]

My favorite tip was using the craft knife to score teeny lines on the feathers. WOW. Can't wait to try and then use this great idea!

[@cherylj.harris4967]

The tip I found most helpful was how to manage a soft edge for fluffy feathered areas in the background.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

That's good, it makes a big difference!

[@janeallen5969]

There are 2 equally helpful tips for me. The use of pencils excellent. The scraping was amazing. I appreciated the extra tip. It was the perfect way to get the eye perfect.

[@dianakoeppel3492]

The fluffy edge tip is brilliant! Thank you!

[@hilarydorricott8454]

As a retired career trainer of adults, I applaud your teaching style. Thanks for the great tips conveyed in such a good way.

[@Katie-wv7gc]

It's magical. The way you made that yellow match was spectacular. I'm 70 so I need to watch again and take notes.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Katie, glad you liked it 😊

[@lynnt5859]

I watched this the other night and yesterday, I applied the techniques as I was working in my sketchbook. What a huge difference! Thanks for the information! I have been really struggling with a creative block lately and you’ve helped me break it down.

[@DSmith-pc9jn]

Very helpful. I have been studying bird anatomy with pencil and fountain pen and really needed something about painting. I especially liked your showing how not to get to detailed and letting things blur together and the soft edges between background and foreground.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@trishdescafano2761]

I am am on my way to painting birds! Thank you for the excellent tips! I am so excited to try them!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are so welcome!

[@spwchief]

I enjoy all your videos. Lots of varied suggestions, straightforward, pretty easy. Love your voice and humor. 👏🏻❤️

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@Deedster56]

As with all your videos, excellent, Michele! I found all of the tips helpful, of course, but the one(s) that resonated the most were regarding how to add texture to the birds, be it feathers, fluffiness, etc. You truly are a master and so very generous of your time here ❤️ If anyone is interested, I am currently taking Michele’s watercolour course and it is EXCELLENT!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Didi, so glad you are enjoying all the things :-)

[@cathyjohnson225]

This tips are amazing. Thanks so much for sharing. I'm excited now to try painting birds again.

[@leslie-annepepin8927]

I absolutely adore birds and want to learn how to draw and paint them. I am 67, and just starting out to keep my sanity during Covid. I really appreciate your videos! Thank you!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You can do it!

[@LindseyDawnArt]

I hope you’ve enjoyed your painting journey

[@ewat3777]

Thank you so much for all your tutorials! I am a beginner watercolour lover and I learn a lot from them. Best tip from this one - fluffy vs hard edge techniques.

[@lindathaxton1994]

Love birds & draw & paint them often - thank you for this valuable video!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

My pleasure 😊

[@rosejordan4245]

I like all the tips but I enjoyed the water color pencil tips and the pen to line the eye. Thanks for all these tips.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lyndamitton4496]

I can almost hear your birdie chirping..he’s lovely!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

😊 thank you

[@saraluvsutube]

You’re incredible, Michelle! I can’t tell you how much encouragement and practical help you’ve given me! As a child, I used to do water color painting in a color book, and it was soo messy and I never enjoyed it. When I accidentally found you on here, I was elated. You show me start to finish, everything about proper paper, how to make it not all wrinkly, and how to make different texture with controlling water consistency, as well as layering and a million other techniques. Thank you for bring back my love and appreciation for watercolor painting. I am 68 years old and you make me feel young again, and bring stimulating art back into my life! I feel soo blessed with your tutorials. ❤️🎨🖌🖼🖌🎨❤️ thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️🎨🖌 sara

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks so much Sara, so pleased you are enjoying painting again. Let's stay young forever 💖

[@carolharper268]

Exactly the same for me too. Enjoy and hope to see your work on Michelle’s Facebook page x

[@artscience9981]

This is a very informative video, well organized, very helpful!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@anthonyjones3698]

The drawing tips on shape and how to see it best, also fluffy edges, thankyou.

[@parmindersinghgrewal6975]

Thank you Michelle. Vey informative. Best tip is scoring.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are most welcome!

[@carolpenn1155]

All brilliant tips. Thank you Michelle.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are so welcome!

[@TracieWho]

I love the scoring with the knIife...but I am afraid to do it. Watchout paper! lol Thank you for posting all you content. You've really been helpful.

[@suehammond1066]

These tips are wonderful, thank you Michele!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad you like them!

[@dianakoeppel3492]

Loved the soft edge tip as well as the idea of pen around the eyes .

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nicolefraser8895]

I just re-watched this video for inspiration, still love all the tips. I’ve got one for you this time, Michele - for the majority of birds, they eye will sit in line with the beak. So if you look at the middle line of the beak (where it closes) and extend it, the bottom edge of the eye will sit on that line, and it really helps with drawing the eye in the right position. I’m not sure I’ve explained this very well but it’s basically the birdy equivalent of human eyes sitting in the middle of the head. :)

[@cherieadamsdodd1460]

So excited I've found you xx

[@zuperzapify]

Love your info on creating feathers!!

[@agbobier2657]

I love your sense of humor!

[@AnnmarieFitzgibbons]

very much appreciate the info on painting a birds especially how to do feathers , very much a fan of urs Kind Regards

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

So nice of you

[@renatecormick7399]

I agree with Cheryl, good tip for painting background around fluffy feathers. In general the whole video is very helpful. Thanks Michele

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dianemccabe9907]

Thank you so much! I am about to take on some birds and your tips were very helpful!!! Can't wait to try some!!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Good luck 🙂

[@bettygalanter4417]

Wonderful tips (all are great and especially on drawing the shape of the bird from body to head to wings. And you bird painting is amazingly beautiful. Thank you Michele!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Love 💕 this video of helpful tips & tricks for painting birds. I have definitely used most of the do’s for my paintings. I have also been 😂guilty of a couple of the don’ts as well. This was a great reference/refresher video for me during this week of the bird art challenge. Thanks for sharing this wonderful video. Hopefully you’re enjoying & having a wonderful weekend!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I may just be working all weekend... But it's in a good cause so I can go on holiday 😉

[@alexklimczak4622]

I liked the tips regarding the fluffy edges and using the scalpel for texture.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad you liked it, Alex. :-)

[@MG-iq6lr]

Some of the most helpful advice ..thanks

[@jerrincurless5249]

This video has given me encouragement to give birds a go! :) Thank you!!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You can do it!

[@zacreea]

I always start with the beak, usually or atleast with hook bills, their eye is below the nostril, so I use that as a point of reference. It helps that I own birds and they make great models. Especially my cockatiel, I love painting that Mohawk.

[@bonnietoney4200]

I am a newby and these are awesome!

[@jennyd9543]

I liked the way you used white on the beak of the tropical bird. Also liked the bonus tip - will definitely be using that one.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

He was one of my favourite paintings. Birds are alway boys in my head...

[@victoriad2325]

Thanks!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks so much that's very kind, I appreciate it :-)

[@vivianbunch1963]

I liked the pen idea. Very helpful. As well as softening the edges of a background.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rebekahaurie6252]

Thanks so much! Your videos are so information- packed and practical! 😊🐦❤🐦😊

[@s.terris9537]

First time visitor here, Michele. I am wowed by the amount of detail you gave. I'm a beginner and just dreaming of doing birds in the future. I think the tip I liked the most is using the blade to score the paper before painting on it. Never heard of that idea before! I really appreciate all of your tips to be honest. I'm not much of a drawer, your demonstration about how to approach the shape of the body & head first, and setting the beak in the head were enlightening. When I'm more experienced I will come back to learn the more complicated bird projects. You are a great teacher, Thank you!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No problem. It's a strange thing with watercolor; the simplest looking techniques can be the hardest to do (see flat washes!) so do have a go at some of these they are easier than they look.

[@anneedmunds9025]

A great video. I could never get the eyes right I will try this next time I paint a bird. Thank you

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You’re welcome 😊

[@SDPleinAir]

Great tips clearly presented. Thanks!

[@chelseastraw2602]

Loved the tip about soft edges. Helped it click for me. And using watercolor pencil! Thin lines are so hard to get.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@conniepalmer7493]

Great tips!

[@marycope2278]

Love the craft knife tip.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Mary!

[@shancre]

neat tip with the craft knife

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

It really works well!

[@tinkabell39]

Precious! I am aware of all the techniques, but you bought it all together for me ..Thank you 😊

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No problem!

[@ritumk]

Fabulous tutorial. Extremely useful tips

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@debh3404]

Thank you. This is so helpful!

[@AnnieThanjan]

Loved it as I am practicing painting birds. All the tips were so helpful. I loved the one on scoring with a sharp knife. Knew it was done on leaves but never though of doing it on feathers. Thank you for reminding

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No problem Annie!

[@highlandhen]

Thank you so much for doing this very extensive free tutorial! So many rather advanced (in my mind) techniques all in one place. I won't attempt a bird for a long time to come but I was especially intrigued by the advice on how to prepare the background for that floofy edge to come, and working with the eyes. It' also great to see how to use black and white properly ;-)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Fiona, I have some more backgrounds in a video coming up soon on KZbin.

[@cousinjesse4450]

Can’t wait to put these technics to use attempting a horned owl.

[@travcat66]

Hi from Nsw Australia, I’m really enjoying and learning from your videos, thank you

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@astridkruse4665]

Thank you so much for sharing. There are quite a lot of really good and helpful tips.

[@caroljv33]

Brilliant helpful tips thank you so much!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You're so welcome!

[@candywilliams6020]

Great video, using the craft knife for feathers was great and how to create softer edges as well. Thank you

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you!

[@teresasawicka5861]

Thank you 🐯🇦🇺🙏

[@carlycharlesworth1497]

I think your tip about not being too exact. Letting the watercolours do there thing in paintings of birds. It something I never know where to stop. Thank you for effectively giving me 'permission' go relax more and not let my ocd get the better of me when painting things with a lot of prescise details. You are an amazing teacher. I love your videos. Thank you so much for all your art tips.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

My pleasure Carly!

[@9dnoble]

I enjoy this channel very much. Thank you for the tips and inspiration!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for watching!

[@LynnFlatley]

Always filled with new ideas and clearly explained and demonstrated techniques. Hoping you reach 100,000 subs soon! So many would benefit, don't know what they're missing!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you very much!

[@AnaSanchez-iu7es]

Gorgeous

[@ivanaagapiou6340]

thankyou for sharing your best tips! so helpful for me to continue being creative and to experiment.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I'm so glad!

[@wandamartins1160]

Very good.🤩

[@nicolefraser8895]

Thank you for this video Michelle, super helpful! Especially the bits about feather textures.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks, Nicole. Really brings life to them; doesn't it?

[@cousinjesse4450]

I also want to try a Raven but there so many colors in the overall black tone.

[@katemccarthy2463]

Very helpful, great tips. thank you

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for watching!

[@travelwell6049]

Thank you. So many great tips.! I’m working on a lake scene from imagination, a goose with goslings in the foreground and Swans with signets sitting on the embankment. I really like the dry brush technique (have done it with acrylic but wouldn’t have thought about it for watercolour). The scalpel technique was particularly interesting too as I have not seen it used to create indents in the paper only to scrape paint off at the end to create highlights. I will experiment with all these techniques before applying them to my painting. 👍

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Sounds like a lovely painting!

[@gardengal9478]

It like you read my mind. Was going to try a series of birds since getting their proportions and shapes is so important. Thanks for the tips❣️

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Uh oh... People are going to catch on to my psychic abilities before long! :p You're welcome, Susan!

[@geoffmitchell6515]

Thank you

[@janthrower4271]

enjoyed the techniques and will be using them when i do my next bird painting. thanks.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are very welcome Jan ☺️

[@leojablonski2309]

Well done

[@Merryknees1]

That was such a useful video, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You're very welcome!

[@lizettebreytenbach7814]

Thanks, was very helpful

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You're welcome!

[@Molly-w7e]

Liked and subscribed. Liked the scalpel tip the best

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you 🙏

[@jeanhanson8744]

I really like your videos. I’m learning so much. Thank you for sharing your talent.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are so welcome!

[@cherylcraver459]

Enjoyed it all

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Brilliant thanks!

[@susancook1617]

Great tips, thank you Michele,

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for watching ☺️

[@kevingodding9316]

Great video 👍👍👍👍

[@Ineedahandle75]

Help! I'm trying to paint House Martins in flight. They look like jumbo jets at 30,000 feet.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Maybe I will paint them for you one day :-)

[@joys4524]

Michele, thank you. Could you please explain how you did the white flower clusters, if you don't mind?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I'm not sure which flower cluster you mean. Could you mean the leaves in the recent bird painting? This is done using Dorland's Wax. I show you this technique, amongst others, in my video "Wax Resist Watercolor (8 Clever Techniques and Tricks!)".

[@rebeccawilliams2410]

The information on painting feathers was really helpful. I was wondering how on earth I could achieve that looks. So so helpful. What pencils do you recommend? Thank you for this video. Helped so much. Do you not recommend using a small brush for the masking fluid? I'm getting some for Christmas. Thanks xxx

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I would suggest Carn D Ache Museum pencils. I wouldn't use a brush for masking fluid.

[@MelanCholy2001]

I just finished that unsplash flying blue jay picture (a lot of people have done it) and boy do I wish I would have used masking fluid (a lot of it!) on the white feather ends. I had the drawing, but when I did the background, I couldn't see the pencil line (and quite honestly, just forgot since I was more focused on the many blues and purples in the bird's main body feathers. So my background flew into the feathers of course (and I love Qor for those wet in wet backgrounds) and got to the end of the painting, drying properly with days inbetween, and realized something was off. 😅 I slapped the titanium over the Qor (since those are particularly staining; no hope of going back to even grey, much less paper) and kicked myself for missing that HUGE "detail" (the white edges of the outer feathers! Bird look crazy without the white tips on the black feathers!) and (took your earlier advice) finished the painting. It's hanging across from me right now as a reminder! The white worked, but it's like when someone's gone overboard on the teeth whitening and they're neon white! (I could go back in with some gray; I really need to. But I struggle hard with opaques when everything else is transparent.) I'll probably do this painting again, _probably_ in a more loose style, but definitely more pencil outline on the outer edges of white feathers, and masking fluid. Thanks for these tips! I have several birds I want to do now; these tips will help!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Good luck 🤞😃 everything is a lesson 🙏

[@doraevatt8320]

Good 👍 info

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SharonH11100]

Excllent tutorial! I especially liked the uses of watercolor pencil and the pen on the eye. Also appreciate the heads-up on correct hues for those times a bird-watcher may see your work. (“Why does that Blue-Footed Boobie have opera-rose feet?)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Sharon, bird watchers can get very annoyed about it when we get it wrong. The birds of course don't notice!

[@carolharper268]

Winsor and Newton make Chinese white too, very transparent though. 🙏

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Chinese white is usually zinc white :-)

[@carolharper268]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber every day is a learning day, thank you x

[@miriammolloy5900]

Hi Michelle im trying to find my art medim or genre for art i know i love vibrant colours both painting and working with it i would be grateful for ur thoughts and experience. Thanks Miriam

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

All mediums can be bright, watercolors included. There's no real shortcut. Try lots of things, learn lots of media, take some courses, it will become clear eventually as long as you don't force it.

[@cathycirisan5616]

For the dry brush technique, is there an alternative to an old, frayed brush? I don’t have any. Or is there a way to mess up a new brush?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You can, a fan brush or flat brush is perfect because they are't hugely useful for other things. Take some nail scissors and cut inwards towards the base of the bristles, I always do this to my fan brushes, makes them great for painting trees too. But if you have cheap shops nearby then you will find cheap brushes like this in the crafts/kids sections for very little cost.

[@cathycirisan5616]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber thank you

[@grahamnash9794]

I'm going to have to re-visit this video again. I have a head like a sieve. Thank you for help us all out with useful hints and tips like this. Going to take so much frustration out the process. I left a message in your email page. I felt a need to write to you. No, nothing to worry about. TTFN

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Graham I will check it out later 🙂

[@grahamnash9794]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber There's no need to reply, unless you feel led to do so.

[@kathyhall668]

What kind of a pen did u use in the end?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Good question. It was a permanent liner of some sort. I have 2 and I'm not sure which I picked up.

[@doncouls1244]

I look forward to teaching?

[@nancyvaladez5099]

I can’t pick one tip, they all r so good. My son ask me to paint him a Mockingbird. I wasn’t even sure where to start. Got the drawing done then was kind of stumped. This video answered almost all of my questions. Only one part I have a question about, when u do the fluffy part do u put in the color of the birds belly at the same time? As I said I’m doing a mockingbird and it has an almost white belly. Love your channel and have learned so much. I haven’t painted for 30 years, and I’ve lost so much. Thank again

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you! I would leave the fluffy edge and then later put a little shadow color on the white area, overlaying with a little white paint if you need texture.

[@nancyvaladez5099]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber thanks I’ll do that

[@krisbennett1331]

I have tried to become a patreon, but the page doesn't come up

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Hi, sorry Kris, I am no longer on Patreon :-)

[@thornhedge9639]

Incredible how distracting I find those nails! Lol! Fantastic tutorial. Thanks so much Michele.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I will have them glow in the dark next and turn the lights out 🤣

[@highlandhen]

Lol! I wanted to say how glad I am that Michele can get her nails done again :-D

[@lindaberg7834]

craft knife, soft edges

[@liamwatson5125]

Whenever I draw a bird, I start with an egg and then add the features and the head and beak.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Very appropriate!

[@liamwatson5125]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber Because all birds come from eggs. Dinosaurs came from eggs too!

[@MontyVideo969]

No more excuses for winging it!!!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Oh very good!!