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Thursday, July 17, 2014

Horned Owl watercolor painting

It's been a couple weeks since I posted some of my new art.  I've been really busy working on my Etsy shop (post coming up about that soon, so stop back!).

I've still been trying to improve on my watercolor skills, so I decided I wanted to try an animal.  Owls are my absolute favorite so I started with a horned owl.


Here are some progress shots:

My daughter is just as obsessed with owls as I am, so I think I may frame this one and put it in her bedroom.  She even has a big pink stuffed animal owl that she sleeps with.  It's almost as tall as she is! haha!

I'm actually pretty happy with the way this one turned out, especially for it being my first try!

What do you think?

43 comments:

  1. This is owl is absolutely gorgeous. I'm so in awe of artists who watercolor - it looks so difficult. I oil painted for years, however I'm so intimidated to try watercolors!

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    1. Thank you so much! Normally I paint with acrylics, watercolors are very different....and difficult for me. It's very unforgiving. If I don't like something that I've done with acrylic paint, I can just paint over it and fix it. With watercolor I can't do that and it's definitely frustrating. lol!

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  2. That looks so great! You are VERY talented! :-)

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  3. This turned out so well! The eyes are perfect!

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    1. Thank you! Eyes are always my favorite so I focus on those the longest.

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  4. This is absolutely gorgeous! What a talent.

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  5. So good! The eyes are definitely the focal point, as they should be for an owl, and they contrast so well with the softness of the feathers.

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    1. Thank you! I'm am pretty happy with it for my first try at an animal watercolor portrait. It was fun to try something new

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  6. Wow! I really love seeing the progress shots. My husband paints and I just think it's SO FREAKING COOL to see it all come to life.

    You've got some major talent, lovely! x

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  7. This is amazing! Oh how i wish drawing or painting realistically was a part of my talent but it is not....... However! there is an owl in my artwork this week too! What a coincidence! LOL! I'm sure your little girl will LOVE this owl! Visiting you from Friday Sketches! Hugs! deb

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    1. Thanks so much! I just hung the owl painting in her room last night as a surprise and she was sooo excited! lol! She's only a year and a half old but she loves her "who whos" lol! I love your owl too!! The block idea was so creative!

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  8. It's a very good owl. I think you've mastered the watercolors well. I started using acrylics, but have turned over to watercolors only. I love to paint with them, and especially the twinkling h2o's. They are (can be) a bit syrupy and very easy to use.

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    1. Thanks so much! I still have some things to learn but I've definitely been enjoying the challenge. I've never tried the twinkling h2o's. I've just been using a cheapo watercolor tray i got from the dollar store LOL

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  9. Love your owl. I don't think I will ever be an animal drawer. You did really great. Love the progress steps.

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    1. Thank you!! I've always loved animals and wanted to try but only tried cats before. It was nice to try something new and I'm glad it went pretty well. My daughter loves it

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  10. I love owls too--this painting is wonderful.

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  11. Gorgeous Julie! I love your owl too! Your daughter should be thrilled... they are an amazing animal!

    Hugs Giggles

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  12. JUlie - you did a fantastic job. I would never have known it was your first try at watercolor. Your daughter will treasure that painting.

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    1. Thank you!! This was my first try at an animal portrait in watercolor. She was so excited when I showed it to her

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  13. I think you did a grand job of the great horned owl! I love owls too! Love the textures, colours and the eyes! Well done!

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  14. I love owls and this one her is just AWESOME!
    Thank you for visitin my blog and letting me such a nice comment!
    FROEBELSTERNCHEN FROM AUSTRIA

    ART-JOURNAL-JOURNEY-CHALLENGE

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  15. For a first try it is AWESOME! Love it.

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  16. Wonderful work, thanks for sharing the progress pictures :)

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    1. Thank you!! I always think it's neat to see how people create their art, step by step so I always try to do it on mine.

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  17. Your daughter will love this. I am very impressed with your watercolor skills. You are amazing
    Nicole/Beadwright

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    1. Wow, thank you so much!! My daughter loved it! It's hanging in her room right now and she gets so excited every time she looks at it.

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  18. great job on the owl. Love his penetrating eyes ...

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  19. Oh, this owl is really beautiful! Very nicely done! I love it!

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  20. I love it, I have painted over 40 paintings of owls, I love them too! You did a beautiful job!

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  21. LOVE love your owl. Your artwork is amazing! :)

    I was also wondering how you built your template? I see you're using blogger but your template/layout is stunning! If I could get mine to look like this, I'd quit squarespace (www.bluechairdiary.com) and return to blogger. :)

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  22. Your work is always so stinking gorgeous!! Man I wish I could do that!

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  23. I love your owl!!! I recognized your owl because I think we might have used the same online pic to paint from, lol!!! I did mine about 18 months ago. It isn't near as good or realistic as yours, and I just used india ink, but I thought you might get a kick out of seeing the one I painted. I really want to learn watercolor! I am a newbie and learning, but I don't often have a chance to play.

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