BIRD OF PARADISE PROJECT
STEP BY STEP WATER COLOUR PROJECT
Suitable for beginners, learn to paint with watercolours by practicing with this sensational watercolour project painting this flamboyant, majestic, tropical bird of paradise
Use watercolours to create this beautiful botanical-style artwork.
YOU WILL NEED:
• Downloadable artwork template*.
• 1 Sheet of watercolour paper (250gsm or more).
• 1 x Container for clean water.
• Watercolour paint palette (an ice cube tray is ideal).
• 1 x HB Pencil.
• 1 x Waterproof fine tip black marker.
• Tracing paper or kitchen baking paper.
• Derivan Watercolour in: Australian Sap Green, Australian Leaf Green, Vermilion, Yellow Deep, Crimson, Purple, Phthalo Green, Cadmium Yellow Hue and Purple.
• Round brushes in sizes No.1, No.5 and No.8. (Synthetic or real hair).
Step 1
Using the template and HB pencil, trace the
ower design onto tracing paper then transfer
to watercolour paper. Once you are happy with
the outline. Go over it with the waterproof
black marker. Place small amounts of the
watercolour paint into separate compartments
in the palette. Mix with water.
Step 2
Using the No.8 brush and clean water, wet the
main body of the ower. Then use the No.5 brush and Australian Sap Green
to paint the upper half. Clean the brush before applying
Australian Leaf Green to the lower section of the same area.
Repeat the process on the remainder of the stem.
Step 3
Using the No. 1 brush dipped in purple, start to
paint the four purple petals. While the purple
is still wet, clean the brush and add touches of
Crimson to highlight the area.
Step 4
Use the No.5 brush to start painting the
orange petals. Be sure to paint alternative
petals to avoid the colours blending into each
other. Beginning with Crimson, paint the lower
half of the inside of the petals. Then use the
Vermilion to paint the upper half. Gently blend
the two colours together where they meet and
allow them to bleed into each other .
Step 5
Now paint the outside petals . Paint the lower
section with Crimson and the tips in Yellow
Deep. While these colours are still wet, paint
the middle area with Vermilion and allow all
three colours to bleed into each other. Repeat
the process until all petals are completed.
Allow time for individual petals to dry so they
don’t bleed into each other.
Step 6
When the painting is dry, use the No.1 brush
and Crimson, paint lines separating the petals
for more de nition. Allow to dry before signing
and framing if desired.