Song Sparrow by Linda C. Miller

In addition to painting botanicals, I also paint our feathered friends. Here is a watercolor of an immature Song Sparrow.  The grey was made with Burnt Sienna and French Ultramarine. The browns and pinks were made with Cobalt Blue, Lemon Yellow and Permanent Rose, my favorite "go to" primary mixing group.  I used a Winsor Newton No. 2 Round Series 7 brush and a 00 Winsor Newton III round brush.  

Note the dried paint in my palette bins.
This is where I pick up my color!

My Technique for Creating Fine Lines

The most important thing is that your paper is dry, bone dry.  Then using a round brush ranging from a No. 1 to a 00, place your brush in your water container, then tap your brush once on a soaking wet cellulose sponge (not a natural sponge). Next (very important too) pick up your DRY paint and paint your line.  This technique takes out the excess water in the brush and ensures that your brush is filled with "loaded" pigment.

Painted on 90lb Cold Press Paper

Happy New Year and Happy Painting, Linda

Linda C. Miller Artist Naturalist Instructor
Visit my blog to see more techniques
http://thebotancialblogger.blogspot.com/