How To Paint Birds in Watercolor - Step by Step Wren Watercolor Painting Tutorial

[@TheMarkEH]

This is a virtuoso tutorial. Great artistry and clear, comprehensive, explanations. Splendid, thank you.

[@AlisonFennell]

Well I am glad you got something from this Mark and I am chuffed with that lovely compliment - thanks a million :)

[@peterjlewis9497]

Oh my word. I cannot believe how much you have just taught me about the beautiful aspects of detailed watercolour painting. Your commentary is absolutely exquisite and so, so informative. I am old and long retired and now very inspired to follow your excellent teaching. Thank you so much. Merry Christmas.

[@AlisonFennell]

and Oh my word Peter - I cannot believe how I missed this comment for 2 years!!! I do apologise as I normally reply within a day:) Happy New Year and thank you so much for such a lovely compliment. You are never too old to imerse yourself in a deep interest and so I hope that you have been painting this last 2 years:)

[@wakeupuk3860]

As with your mountain and mists tutorials this one I found just at the right time. Due to growing stress and anxiety issues built up over many years countered with finding so many of us travelling (ie millions of us on Rialto Bridge, Venice) I decided to stay at home. So built a lovely patio, rockery, flowers in pots and lots of bird feeders where day by day now, a range of birds come to feed closer and closer to me while I draw and paint. Have been thinking of trying to draw them but not to good, but after having a go at this tutorial, was quite please with the result. Two Wrens recently became lodgers under my eaves and have allowed me to get some good photos and sketches, which I put together to create something very similar to what you did here. So next project is to put together what I learnt from this video and a half decent water colour of these two Wrens before they move on. As always thank you.,

[@AlisonFennell]

Hi Dave - I am glad this video added to your calm working preferences with nature and birds. I too prefer solitude to cities and crowds. That must be delightful to see two wrens at such close quarters! They are charming yet feisty aren't they? My favourite thing is their little tail which sticks up.Thanks for your comments and I hope you subscribe to get alerts when more art input is published by me here! Alison

[@kristinegoetsch8009]

Thanks for sharing your watercolor expertise. You explain your steps so clearly. And I love how easy it is to make a donation! Thanks for that, too.

[@AlisonFennell]

Thanks Kristine! I am delighted that thi swren gave you something and I am so grateful for your generous donation! I shall be getting tea and cake thanks to you!

[@orcamum]

Oh, I enjoyed this so much! Beautiful painting and excellent explanation of the entire procedure! Thank you!

[@AlisonFennell]

Thanks OrcaMum - glad you loved the watercolor wren - Happy New Year and apols for the delay as I usually reply promptly!

[@mariapazherrera7816]

Bellísimo, gracias por compartir

[@AlisonFennell]

De nada Maria - gracias por su commentario simpatico - Feliz ano nuevo!

[@phillipiacobacci1369]

Thanks so much, learned loads about blending and how to soften edges.

[@SuperficialGloworm]

Thank you so much for your wonderful tutorials, Alison! I am brand new at watercolours (or art at all!) but I've learnt so much from you already about colour and tone, and using water effectively. I still have trouble getting the right "wetness" on my paper - I hope that will come with practice :) I also love listening to you talk and I find your manner really soothing! I especially like the way you say "puddle" ! Thank you again!

[@AlisonFennell]

Hi SG - thanks so much for the encouraging comments. All I want to do it facilitate people on their way with art in general and watercolour specifically. That's really nice to hear about my voice - a lot of people seem to say that :) Yes - getting paper wetness is a specific skill in watercolour - just practice literally watching water dry on scrap paper - see how long it stays wet for - you alone must be the water policeman:)

[@joehobbs9535]

Hi Alison! So enjoy your tuition. So detailed and so generous of you to share your talent. Am grateful you give full ,talk over videos without speed ups or irritating,distracting music. Have stopped watching these as I learn nothing from them. Keep up the good work! Helen from Norfolk xxx

[@AlisonFennell]

Helen that is wonderful to hear I am hitting the mark with what you want from a watercolour tutorial - thanks so much for your comments and that lovely donation today - I shall be gorging on something nice soon:) More videos coming soon ok - what subjects are you drawn (excuse the pun) to?

[@joehobbs9535]

Hi Alison! I really love painting animals and birds. My first attempt at watercolour painting was of a hare. I saw many on the fields whilst riding my beautiful mare. (I've owned her since she was 11yrs and recently had to let her go at 26yrs) I'm looking for another as I need a horse for my wellbeing! I also love flowers, and have attempted painting daffodils. Looking forward to your next video very much! Xx

[@AlisonFennell]

That must have been fab riding and spotting a hare - total communion with nature Helen. I bet it was hard to lose your horse. I love them and see 5 every day 3 times a day when I walk th edog. Well enjoy your obsessions in painting and life and you won't go wrong.x

[@alexissalazar2579]

Espectacular ¡¡ gracias por enseñarnos¡¡¡¡

[@AlisonFennell]

muchas gracias Alexis - tengo una blog nueva si te gustas! www.thepotteringartist.com/

[@jennyreed2597]

Thoroughly enjoyed your demo thank you

[@AlisonFennell]

Well how kind is that - thanks Jenny and I am glad you liked it - also - I have a bit of news this August - Would you like to see my new watercolour club page on Patreon? It is the best value teaching I can offer - here is the link ok - please ask if you have any questios - www.patreon.com/thepotteringartist

[@terrih.5910]

This little birdie is just delightful Alison!

[@AlisonFennell]

Hello there Terri! How is it all going? Thanks for that - I love painting birds A x

[@silviasunesen7649]

I will definite try this. Painted along with the previous blue budgie video. You make it look so easy. Had difficulty with the eye area. Will try again

[@AlisonFennell]

This is strange Silvia - I have replied to your lovely comment twice but it keeps on not showing up - I hope you do try him! Thanks for your donation x

[@pauwerwoman1247]

Thank you Alison for explaining what you do as you go along... 💕I'm about to start a watercolor painting, I hope I can remember all your tips 😅🖌🎨

[@AlisonFennell]

Thanks Pauwer Woman - I appreciate your kind comments and hope you employ whatever you can for your own enjoyment as you paint!

[@pauwerwoman1247]

@@AlisonFennell oh I get sooooo much enjoyment from art... been painting for almost a year now and my walls and windowsills are almost full🎨🖌🐠🐟🤗😄💎 with glass art too 💕🌷

[@AlisonFennell]

@@pauwerwoman1247 Wonderful to hear your enthisiasm PW!

[@melware4166]

Beautiful painting, excellent explanation, learned interesting techniques, thank you so much for sharing xxx

[@AlisonFennell]

Great stuff - so glad you got something from this Mel - just for info - I have a brand new shiney online academy now! Want to see? the-pottering-artist.teachable.com/

[@muhlenstedt]

A bird today and I feel myself very lucky for that !It is my favorite subject, I love birds, they are like jewels in the air, don't they?Thank you very much, I have tried to absorve your various brush techniques here and the play with the water, very very useful.Have a great weekend dear Allison!

[@AlisonFennell]

That's great to hear muhlenstedt! Thanks for the compliments and I hope you will try it!

[@maryalgar8779]

LOVE IT; LOVE IT; LOVE IT! My favourite subject matter and I love the style you used. I also like how the 7B graphite pencil softened with water and then the addition of some watercolour. Just a great combined look. I was so glad when you lifted some of that green from the bud because you were so right about not wanting it to steal the show. Your work is great Alison. I'm such a fan.

[@AlisonFennell]

Yay! Thanks Mary - I loved painting this one - after a false start with the too blue shadow I felt he came along nicely. I hope you are enjoying some painting today?

[@melissalefebvre3476]

Thank you for sharing! 🙏🏼 you’re amazing.

[@AlisonFennell]

Very kind of you to leave a positive comment Melissa!

[@findforu450]

Thank you very much .

[@AlisonFennell]

นัน - thank you! Happy New Year and apols for the delay as I usually reply promptly!

[@nilufercalllar2956]

This is the best explained watercolor video that I have seen on you tube! Thanks a million...I will be watching all your videos from now on.

[@AlisonFennell]

That has made my day Nil - thanks very much. I do try to break it down into doable and clear chunks - I hope you'll get something from my other videos - and I just published my first ever art magazine. I am publishing it every two months - here it is if you'd like to see - www.blurb.com/b?ebook=687998

[@tammys7802]

I enjoyed this tutorial- it's relaxing to listen to you and I learned some good techniques. I just started learning watercolor this year and one of my favorites to paint is birds, so thank you!

[@AlisonFennell]

Hi Tammy - that's lovely to hear - I am glad you found this useful and helpful as you get to grips with watercolour and birds. There is infinite choice isn't there with them? If you need any outlines or have questions just ask ok! Alison

[@AlisonFennell]

Just for info Tammy if you long to dig deeper into your artist soul I have a new magazine for beginners! www.blurb.co.uk/b/9377235-issue-2-the-pottering-artist

[@suel4269]

Beautiful! Thankyou for showing your palette.

[@AlisonFennell]

It is a fab palette - 25 years old Sue - glad you liked the wren - thanks

[@getsoserious8661]

VERY LOVELY LITTLE BIRD NICE PAINTING SWEETHEART

[@AlisonFennell]

Thanks Erka - enjoy!

[@AlisonFennell]

Glad you approve David:)

[@francoisederocher]

We have these little fellas here in Georgia as well. They are incredibly loud; it is hard to believe such a loud voice comes from this tiny body. The pencil lines are a great idea. giving the whole a sort of old-fashioned charming feeling.:)

[@AlisonFennell]

That's great you have experienced them too - they are feisty aren't they :) Thanks for the comments - I just wanted a fresh look - not too finished :)

[@nursdurkin]

Francoise de Rocher I live in GA, too...we call them Carolina Wrens...one of my favorite birds!

[@nursdurkin]

Love your work, Alison...great teaching!

[@francoisederocher]

Exactly! Apparently, they live in other places besides Carolina!!

[@AlisonFennell]

Many thanks Paula - I hope you try and paint one.

[@ChrisWilliamsRMWpigeon]

was you always good at drawing before you started to paint, or did you start drawing after you began painting? for me I was always good at drawing and I recently started painting, I was going for oil painting, but I really enjoy watercolours, I would like to paint birds in my foreground of my landscapes after seeing this tutorial, love you're art, very beautiful.

[@AlisonFennell]

No Christopher - I couldn't draw a thing - so I traced things for about 4 years while at th esame time teaching myself to draw. Thanks so much for all your comments lately - I am glad the videos I do are helpful to you - !

[@MCMarts]

This is lovely. Wrens are back here in Vermont and I got to watch and photograph one last week. I just posted a video of the painting process, though I did not include the pencil work as you did--and I really enjoyed watching you use the pencil!

[@AlisonFennell]

Hi Cristina - they are captivating aren't they and thanks for the compliment! I saw your lovely rendition of the wren you saw - and it is very delicate and immediate - :)

[@sreihart]

This is the first video of yours that I've watched and I really love how you explain things. Subscribed! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@AlisonFennell]

That's great to hear - thanks SReihart:) I hope you'll get more confident as time goes on...Alison

[@Milovaig]

Absolutely LOVE this one Alison - and love the combination of watercolour and graphite. Can't wait to have a go. x (Margaret)

[@AlisonFennell]

Thanking you Margaret X ! I too loved that idea - a nice contrast.

[@dianequinn1500]

Another great tutorial. Thank you

[@AlisonFennell]

Great to hear that Diane - thanks:)

[@kimleon-guerrero9980]

Thank you Alison for a great tutorial. 💞💫

[@AlisonFennell]

No problem Kim - I love doing them and thanks!

[@silviasunesen7649]

You are welcome. Great instructions

[@arlenemurphy804]

Beautiful job and great explanation

[@AlisonFennell]

Thanks A!

[@lisabellinger2744]

I love this one too. I did the Koi, I will get a picture to show you. Where can I put the photo so you can see it? I had trouble with the water. thanks

[@AlisonFennell]

Super Lisa - glad it's your cup of tea - if you email the koi to [e-mail] I can see it then - :)

[@sooart5333]

Lovely ~!!Thanks for sharing

[@AlisonFennell]

Thanks Soo :)

[@BJBlikre]

Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I enjoyed the video very much. I will ask for the line drawing too. :)

[@AlisonFennell]

My pleasure Brenda - thanks. OK - just give me your email and I will send it to you.

[@BJBlikre]

[e-mail]

[@karensmith1457]

Wonderful!

[@AlisonFennell]

Thanks Karen

[@silviasunesen7649]

Beautiful. So soft and delicate. Thank you Alison

[@AlisonFennell]

Many thanks for your thoughts Silvia and for your generous donation yesterday! Tea and cakes for me. Do you think you'll try this?

[@SuperficialGloworm]

Alison could I ask you how you transfer your image from the photograph to the paper? Do you sketch it freehand, or do you use a tracing paper?

[@AlisonFennell]

I traced this one down SG. I needed two exact same birds - one for my youtube demo and one for my friday class demo and I was pushed for time. I advocate freehand drawing whenever possible of course - I draw freehand for my own total pleasure - especially blind contour drawing - which means going as slow as a snail with that pencil. I use certain shortcuts as a freelance artist - but drawing is a fab skill to have - however - if you are in a hurry to learn a specific watercolour technique I don't see any harm in tracing a subject to allow you to do that. Most people are hobby painters and find it hard to carve out time :)

[@mariakellner2221]

Lovely demo ,maybe I would loose the bud at the top of the wrens head,tfs

[@AlisonFennell]

Yes Maria - it is beginning to irritate me now too LOL! :) Ah well - next time - glad you liked it overall.

[@belialuedke1880]

sweet video. :D

[@AlisonFennell]

Thanks Belia

[@karenrichardson6767]

I wanted to donate but it says that the item is sold out. Love this video Alison! Thank you for posting it.

[@AlisonFennell]

Hi Karen - that is very kind. I hope you got what you wanted from this video? If you want to try this listing it is now live - sorry it had sold out. You can select as many or as little multiples of $1 in the quantity box ok - Thanks so much!

[@AlisonFennell]

Hi Karen - that is very kind. I hope you got what you wanted from this video? If you want to try this listing it is now live - sorry it had sold out. You can select as many or as little multiples of $1 in the quantity box ok - Thanks so much! www.etsy.com/uk/listing/588021469/youtube-donation-for-my-free-watercolor?ref=shop_home_active_2&frs=1

[@karenrichardson6767]

@@AlisonFennell Thank you Alison,so glad there is now a way to donate. I have also favorited your shop. : - )

[@AlisonFennell]

@@karenrichardson6767 Many thanks and I love your oils on Etsy - very accomplished and poetic - good luck and if you need Etsy advice I can give you loads. Alison

[@nursdurkin]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@AlisonFennell]

Thanks Paula - Happy New Year and apols for the delay as I usually reply promptly!

[@nursdurkin]

@@AlisonFennell no worries! Happy New Year!