Whimsical Watercolor Birds

I’ve been completely addicted to making little birds out of watercolor blobs for weeks now. Each weekend I’ve been working on my watercolor skills by working through a new tutorial I find. And then, invariably, I end up making a few new versions of little birds to always be sure to end the craft day on a high note.

I’ve shown little peeks of them in a monthly roundup, and a post on how to make a simple paper frame.

I totally did NOT invent these. I saw them here and was instantly in love. But unless you were searching for them, they might be tricky to find, and since they are so sweet and simple, I thought I’d share the process here.

I like to make lots of these at once, so I cut a 9 x 12 sheet of watercolor paper into twelve 3 x 3 squares.

Using a round brush, I watercolor blobs. Odd numbers look best, and lately I’ve been stuck doing them in threes. It doesn’t matter what technique you use to make the blobs – all one color, mixing colors as wet on wet or wet on dry. I suppose you don’t even really have to do them as watercolor. Crayons, markers and colored pencils would all work.

Really, don’t stress about the blobs. The entire point is that they are imperfect.

Once the blobs are dry, I add in beaks. I like to use a watercolor pencil for this because I’m not that great at painting small details.

Then, using a black fineliner, I trace around the bodies and beaks, and add whatever little details I’m in the mood for. Then I sketch in a quick ground using a watercolor pencil.

As it turns out, you don’t have to just do birds. Beasts are fun, too!

Pin this so you’ll be able to find it later!

This post will be linked up at some of these great link up parties.