Coopers Hawk Watercolor Work in Progress 3

I had to give my Hawk a little diet, he was getting a little large around the middle.

Here is the painting as it sits right now.

To see the step by step photos read on after the break.

Coopers Hawk Watercolor Work in Progress 2

I continued on my Coopers Hawk painting this morning.

Here is what it looks like right now.

To see the step by step photos, read on after the break.

There is a lot of new work on my site from last year, be sure to check it out.

Coopers Hawk Watercolor Work in Progress 1

I've been wanting to do some watercolors this Winter and recently bought a full sheet of 300 lb Arches watercolor paper. Of course the large sheet of paper is intimidating me since I haven't done any watercolor in a while. So I am doing a few small 11"x14" paintings 

on 140 lb paper to get back into the groove.

Here is the first one, a Coopers Hawk from a photograph I took at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park.

First a quick sketch in pencil to get everything in proportion. 

I taped the edges to hold it down on the board and so I can have a clean line when I am done.

Next a wash of Burnt Umber and Ultramarine Blue.

 I sprinkled alcohol and salt on the wet wash to get some interesting patterns.

Another wash of BU and UB with Alcohol and salt and then I lightly washed in the bird.

I used a watercolor pencil to draw in the defining shadows and then 

softened them with a small brush dipped in water.

More washes on the wings and shadows with Paynes Grey.

I think I will add some Fall colors into the background along with some

 Cerulean Blue for some sky color showing through.