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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?
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43 comments:

  1. MadalineJuly 17, 2014 at 6:04 AM

    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. JulieJuly 17, 2014 at 6:09 AM

      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. Julie Tucker-WolekJuly 17, 2014 at 6:16 AM

    WOW!! So gorgeous!!!!!

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  3. SusannahJuly 17, 2014 at 9:56 AM

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

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  4. Laura BJuly 17, 2014 at 11:54 AM

    This turned out so well! The eyes are perfect!

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    1. JulieJuly 17, 2014 at 12:15 PM

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

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  5. PamJuly 17, 2014 at 2:30 PM

    so powerful! LOVE the eyes

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  6. AnonymousJuly 18, 2014 at 5:36 AM

    This is absolutely gorgeous! What a talent.

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  7. DebbieJuly 18, 2014 at 6:20 AM

    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. JulieJuly 18, 2014 at 8:01 AM

      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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  8. Allie TymoczkoJuly 18, 2014 at 7:00 AM

    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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  9. jinxxxygirlJuly 18, 2014 at 8:21 AM

    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. JulieJuly 19, 2014 at 6:12 AM

      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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  10. Valerie-JaelJuly 18, 2014 at 8:33 AM

    WOW, I LOVE this! Valerie

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  11. LailaJuly 18, 2014 at 9:03 AM

    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. JulieJuly 19, 2014 at 6:20 AM

      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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  12. FayeJuly 18, 2014 at 2:52 PM

    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. JulieJuly 19, 2014 at 6:31 AM

      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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  13. Beth NiquetteJuly 18, 2014 at 4:35 PM

    I love owls too--this painting is wonderful.

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  14. GigglesJuly 18, 2014 at 4:55 PM

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

    Hugs Giggles

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  15. bellefrogworksJuly 18, 2014 at 4:57 PM

    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. JulieJuly 19, 2014 at 6:38 AM

      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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  16. AnonymousJuly 18, 2014 at 9:45 PM

    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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  17. Anna JoJuly 18, 2014 at 10:13 PM

    So very pretty! I love it :)

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  18. froebelsternchenJuly 19, 2014 at 1:23 AM

    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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  19. UnknownJuly 19, 2014 at 1:31 AM

    For a first try it is AWESOME! Love it.

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  20. www.dorissdaughter.comJuly 19, 2014 at 1:43 PM

    Wonderful work, thanks for sharing the progress pictures :)

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    1. JulieJuly 20, 2014 at 8:49 AM

      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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  21. DVArtistJuly 19, 2014 at 3:14 PM

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

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    1. JulieJuly 20, 2014 at 8:49 AM

      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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  22. dentheJuly 19, 2014 at 9:42 PM

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

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  23. Annette P.-L. July 20, 2014 at 10:07 AM

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

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  24. AnonymousJuly 20, 2014 at 10:57 AM

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

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  25. UnknownJuly 20, 2014 at 10:59 AM

    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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  26. ChristineJuly 20, 2014 at 5:51 PM

    beautiful owl portrait.

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  27. The Grits BlogJuly 21, 2014 at 11:25 AM

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

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  28. CorrineJuly 4, 2015 at 9:12 PM

    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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