Daily Practice - Springtime Birdhouse

6:37 PM

Watercolor, 5" x 7"
Cachet Watercolor journal

Not sure this really counts as en plein air as I was in my studio, looking out the north window. This little birdhouse is a new addition to our smallest maple tree, and as of yet, has no residents. The tree is just beginning to bud out, so maybe we'll see some action soon.

I really thought this was going to be rather quick and easy to sketch–wrong! The front of the birdhouse is built at an angle and rather than show the angle, I managed to make it look as though it were leaning. Kind of a drunken stupor, if you will! All was not lost as I discovered some very cool color combinations for copper. Now I have to go dig out the names of the pigments before I forget how I did it!

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13 Creative Thought(s)

  1. What a wonderful birdhouse. I love the detail in your tree!

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  2. I think this is charming just the way it is. If you wanted perfect you could have taken a photo of it. :))
    I have found that Birds seem to like their homes a little weathered before they use ours. Maybe it makes them feel it isnt a trap or something.

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  3. Very nice Laure, I especially like the roof and the multiple colors.
    Good job. Thanks again

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  4. I love how you captured the shadows on the bird house...beautifully done!

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  5. Oh, I hope you get some residents, Laure! It's lovely! Looks like a nice house for some cute birds. Your colors are beautiful here, and the shadows are wonderful.

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  6. Love it! The shadows are my favorite part!

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  7. Fun sketch!! Makes me want to go outside and look for birds.

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  8. I love the roof and also all the beautiful shades of white and shadow that play across the front. It sparkles.

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  9. Oh, the shadows are splendid!!!!

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  10. I think that counts for plein air. My take on that is you are drawing something from the natural environment while IT (not neccesarily YOU) is in it's actual environment.

    I like this pic. I love the shadows flitting across the birdhouse and yes, that copper roof looks terrific too. The wonkiness? What wonkiness? I see some character.

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  11. Laure, this is just gorgeous. I love this painting. It's one of my favorites ever. Happy and beautiful... You really capture the patina in the roof too.

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  12. Lovely shadows playing on the birdhouse and yes, the rusted roof is awesome!
    -Krista
    www.kristameister.com

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  13. Lovely! Especially the promise of new leaves in the lenghtening shadows - you always seem to have such fresh and lively shadows! Love the copper roof, too, and would like to know what you used if you have time to post them.

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