Day Owl

6x6 watercolor on Masters Touch 80 lb paper in sketchbook done yesterday using many colors for this day time great horned owl. A mixed black was used for dark line work. COPYRIGHT 2023 Kay Smith

Owl Thoughts

4x6 mixed media with watercolor, Brusho and ink on 140 lb cold press Canson paper done a few months ago and donated as part of our Christmas tree decorations in town. COPYRIGHT 2022 Kay Smith

Snowy Owl Stare

30x22 watercolor on Fabriano 140 lb hot press paper done a few days ago of a snowy owl staring at us; background is negative painting with a first coat of quinacridone gold then the darks. An imaginary bird art wildlife from my own multiple references. COPYRIGHT 2022 Kay Smith

Great Horned Owl

15x11 watercolor on Saunders 140 lb cold press paper, work in progress finished today. Here in this last step, I've added distant background water and foreground.  I might glaze again the foreground water but for the most part, he is done.  In the ref, he had a red brick building behind him, so I've taken artistic license and put him in a more natural setting of a lake with trees.

This is the third step showing distant horizon line of autumn colorful trees, plus tail feathers.  I dropped small amounts of water into an almost dry watercolor where it lost its shine, to give the illusion of fog.  Also I added a few reflections of trees and finishing touches to the tree branch the owl is perched upon.

Here is the completed great horned owl's body, step 2 of my WIP.  I'll lightly draw in a branch for him, then plan the background elements. (Owl photo reference courtesy WetCanvas)

Owl Sketch Work in Progress

11x8.5 ink sketch of great horned owl which will be used to develop a full watercolor wildlife landscape. This will be a work in progress, or WIP, that can be seen below in the beginning stages below on Saunders 140 lb cold press paper, 15x11 inches.