Chickadees and Pinecones

15x11 watercolor on Canson 140 lb cold press paper that is today's work.  This is brush only, no pencil drawing before and no references.  First I used a white crayon to mark the birds' feathers and snow areas. Then began painting with mixed darks first: Quinacridone burnt orange + UB, and quin gold with Prussian blue for green areas.  Midtone greys, a mix of colors already on the palette, were put in then raw sienna, quin gold, quin burnt orange for pinecones.  Splattering was done last when dry.  I tried to show their feathers fluffing against the cold.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.