I’m using gouache to do a head study of a pheasant as I have been commissioned to paint a very big one (A3) in watercolour.
I took about 45 mins to paint this one (the drawing took 20 mins) and it has helped me to really identify and isolate colours so that I am ready to tackle it in watercolour.
I wet the whole pheasant first and then added loose underwashes of the main colours.
Then I dried it and worked each section at a time.
I love the white ring around the pheasant’s neck in contrast to the irridescence of her purples, turquoises and rich purples…
This is the pheasant I am to paint – a fun subject with a lot of attitude!