Painting a Winter Bird Scene in Watercolor: Step-by-Step Guide

Winter is the perfect time to experiment with watercolor, especially with its ability to capture soft, serene scenes. In this post, we’ll walk through the steps of painting two vibrant cardinals perched on a snowy branch. This simple yet striking image can be completed using basic watercolor techniques and a few well-chosen colors. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Materials You’ll Need

• Watercolor Paper: Cold-pressed for texture.
• Brushes: Round brushes for details and flat brushes for washes.
• Watercolors: Windsor & Newton Cotman colors (Cerulean Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Red, Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber, Cadmium Yellow).
• Pencil: For light sketching.
• White Gouache: For snowflakes and highlights (optional).

Step 2: Sketch the Scene

Start by lightly sketching the outlines of the cardinals perched on a snow-covered branch. Focus on the general shapes, keeping details simple. This will help guide your painting without becoming overwhelming.

Step 3: Painting the Background

The first thing to paint is the background. Using the wet-on-wet technique:

• Wet the sky area with clean water.
• Apply a light wash of Cerulean Blue or Cobalt Blue for the sky.
• Keep the wash soft and light, letting it fade toward the bottom. Leave some white areas for the snow-covered ground.

This creates a soft, atmospheric base for your painting.

Step 4: The Snowy Branch

For the branch, use a mix of Raw Umber and Burnt Sienna. Paint the branch itself, leaving small sections unpainted to represent the snow resting on top. Add a hint of Ultramarine Blue to create shadow areas on the snow.

Step 5: Painting the Cardinals

Now, focus on the cardinals:

• Apply a base wash of Cadmium Red or Alizarin Crimson for the cardinals’ bodies. Keep this layer light at first.
• After it dries, add another layer of red to deepen the color, especially on the wings and tail.
• Use Burnt Sienna mixed with Alizarin Crimson to add shading and feather details.
• For the beaks, mix Cadmium Yellow with a little Burnt Sienna to create the orange tone. Keep the beaks and eyes crisp and detailed.

Step 6: Shadows and Depth

• Use a light wash of Ultramarine Blue to create soft shadows on the snow, especially under the branch and around the cardinals.
• This adds depth to the scene and emphasizes the snow-covered look.

Step 7: Final Details and Snowflakes

• Add the cardinals’ feet gripping the branch with Raw Umber or a darker mix.
• Use white gouache or highly diluted white watercolor to add snowflakes. You can flick your brush lightly to splatter the snow over the scene for a gentle snowfall effect.

Final Touches

Step back and assess the balance of your painting. Add any necessary highlights or deepen shadows where needed. Once you’re satisfied, your winter bird scene will be complete!

Here’s the finished product:

Conclusion

Painting a winter bird scene is a relaxing and rewarding project, perfect for showcasing the elegance of watercolor. The cardinals’ bright red feathers stand out beautifully against the snowy background, making this piece eye-catching yet simple. If you try it yourself, be sure to experiment with different tones and techniques to make the scene your own!