Before You Begin: Watercolor Tips & Recommended Painting Order
For the best results, prepare your paints and workspace before you begin. This cardinal painting is built in transparent layers, allowing the bright red feathers to develop rich, vibrant color while preserving the natural luminosity of the watercolor paper. Follow the recommended painting order: pencil sketch, background wash, first red wash on the bird, branch, leaves, and berries, dark feather layers and facial mask, then final highlights and fine details. The most important rule is to let each layer dry completely before adding the next.
Preparing and Activating Solid Watercolors
Solid watercolor pans, blocks, and sticks need a little preparation to release their pigment smoothly.
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Mist before painting: Lightly spray your watercolor pans with water 5–10 minutes before painting, or 30–60 minutes ahead if you have time. This softens the pigment and makes it easier to activate.
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Swirl, don’t scrub: Use a wet round brush to gently swirl across the surface of the pan until the color lifts. Avoid aggressive scrubbing, which can damage your brush.
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Keep colors clean: Rinse your brush thoroughly between colors to prevent muddy mixtures, especially when switching between bright reds, greens, and dark browns.
Managing Water and Paint Consistency
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Use two water containers: Keep one for rinsing dirty paint from your brush and another for clean water when mixing fresh colors.
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Know your brush’s water level:
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Saturated: Holds plenty of water and may drip; useful for large background washes.
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Damp: Holds its shape without dripping; ideal for controlled strokes and painting details.
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Thirsty: Blotted nearly dry on a paper towel; useful for lifting excess water or gently removing pigment.
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Build from light to dark: Begin with watery, transparent washes similar to tea. Gradually use stronger, creamier pigment mixtures for shadows, feather details, and the cardinal’s black facial mask.
Working with Watercolor Paper and Layers
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Choose heavyweight paper: Use watercolor paper rated at least 140 lb (300 gsm) to help prevent excessive buckling, warping, and surface damage.
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Let layers dry completely: Wait until the paper is matte rather than shiny before adding another layer. Use a lightly loaded brush over dry paint to reduce the risk of reactivating or lifting the underlying color.
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Lift mistakes while wet: If you apply too much pigment or accidentally drop water onto the paper, gently blot the area with a clean paper towel or use a thirsty brush to lift the excess.
Take your time, enjoy the process, and remember that watercolor works best when you allow the water and pigment to do some of the work for you.