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!