Table of Contents

Introduction

Part 1: Fundamentals
1. Importance of Shape and Tone
- Project 1: Exploring tone – drawing a coal tit in charcoal
2. Exploring Watercolour Paint
- Project 2: Discovering how watercolour works through experimentation and play
3. Introduction to Composition, Layering and Expressive Mark Making
- Project 3: Mixing expressive and controlled techniques – painting a stork in flight
4. Introduction to Colour
- Project 4: Exploring a Limited Colour Palette
5. Painting a Bird Using Three Colours and Black
- Project 5: Controlling colours – painting a peacock
6. The Importance of Edges
- Project 6: Depicting feathers, capturing light and movement – painting a hummingbird

Part 2: Advanced Techniques
7. Developing a Loose, Intuitive Style
- Project 7: Using watercolour pencils – ‘painting’ carmines
8. Rendering Details in an Expressive Fashion
- Project 8: Creating wing markings intuitively – painting a barn owl
9. Painting Black Birds and Incorporating Environmental Aspects
- Project 9: Utilising the blue/orange colour palette for a dynamic composition – painting a raven in flight
10. Depicting White Birds, and Creating Environmental Elements
- Project 10: Exploiting shadow colours and supporting features - painting a swan
11. Making Your Mark and Finding Your Voice

Promotional Information

A guide to capturing the beauty of birds using modern, expressive watercolour painting techniques.

About the Author

Sarah Stokes is an award-winning animal artist working from studios on the grounds of Arley Estate in Worcestershire, where she is Artist In Residence. She teaches both in-person and online classes with around 50,000 students currently taking her watercolour and charcoal courses. She is represented by Demontfort Fine Art for her original pieces, and her work can be found in major retailers such as Next and Wayfair as well as through Whitewall and Clarendon Fine Art Galleries.

www.sarahstokesartist.co.uk / @sarahstokesartist