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My process

I start with the bird

I always start with the birds! Usually from observations I’ll be attracted to a particular bird or behaviour. I always have my camera ready and take plenty of pictures. I use these as the starting point and then use drawings to narrow down the picture.

From the original drawings I take a tracing and transfer the outline on to watercolour paper. My first step is to paint in the background using multiple washes and then detailed painting. Then I tackle the bird.

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Photo of a rufous fantail at the Royal National Park, near Sydney.
Photo of a rufous fantail at the Royal National Park, near Sydney.
Rufous fantail. For this watercolour I used a photo of a Willie wagtail, another kind of fly catcher, to get the angles right. Rufous fantails have lovely colouration, I'll post a photo next.
Rufous fantail. For this watercolour I used a photo of a Willie wagtail, another kind of fly catcher, to get the angles right. Rufous fantails have lovely colouration, I'll post a photo next.
This King parrot was enjoying the seeds in this grass meadow just outside Canberra.
This King parrot was enjoying the seeds in this grass meadow just outside Canberra.
Photo of a rufous fantail at the Royal National Park, near Sydney. Rufous fantail. For this watercolour I used a photo of a Willie wagtail, another kind of fly catcher, to get the angles right. Rufous fantails have lovely colouration, I'll post a photo next. This King parrot was enjoying the seeds in this grass meadow just outside Canberra.