I had fun painting Papa Cardinal in watercolor this week in celebration of my Three Month Watercoloriversary! (How do you like that made up word?!)
It’s been three months since I first ventured into the world of watercolor and shared my very first watercolor on April 4, 2015.
I think I am making some improvements, and I KNOW I still have a long way to go, but oh what a fun journey it is. I’ve been trying to paint at least one thing a week.
Thanks to Laura @ CreateArtEveryday for initially nudging me out of the nest and encouraging me every day to continue, and thanks to all the other great artistic bloggers and family and friends who have really encouraged and supported me. This is something three and half months ago I wouldn’t have even ventured at. I would have told you I could barely draw a stick figure.
I used this photo of Papa Cardinal at the feeder in our backyard as my pose of choice to roughly draw the shape. I then took LOTS of artistic license in creating an artsy version of him. Because – hey – if I wanted him to look exactly like the photo – what’s the point? Just take the photo – right? (or maybe that’s my excuse…) I put him on a branch instead of the feeder, because the feeder totally detracts from his handsomeness. And then I spiked his hair a bit too to spiff him up.
We have several cardinal families hanging out here in our backyard here in Mars. Maybe I’ll venture to draw Momma or Baby soon. Baby is pretty grown up and there are other new kids now too.
Oh what a bird nerd I have become! Thanks for visiting, and happy weekend – enjoy doing things you love with those you love – at life in between!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Beautiful! You did an outstanding job 🙂
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This is just awesome Jodi…I’m so glad you made that jump into the watercolor world and that you share!
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Beautiful! Oh, I so enjoy your watercolors. You are so free and your colors have such pizzazz! I love the way you didn’t depend too much on your reference also. That’s the sign of a real artist (IMO)! Change it up and make it your own. Boy, I’m so glad you decided to venture into the art world. You were already there with your photography and your cooking, but man….it really is a fun journey, and it’s so cool to be paddling along this mighty river with you, my friend! You’re definitely improving, and you will continue to do so. Really looking of war to what you create next! Have a wonderful weekend, Jodi! 💜💛💜
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I have seen other artistic expressions of cardinals like this I like too which equally inspired me. So much beautiful creativity and artistry out there. 🙂
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Oh my gosh, it’s endless! Just looking at WP every day is incredible, and that’s just a tiny drop in the ocean! Love your paintings!! 👏👍💃😉
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Oh autocorrect. That should be forward lol. Hehe 💜
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That is one handsome bird. THREE MONTHS???? You are a natural.
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Oh Carol – thank you – I appreciate that from you. Any tips you might share?
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I will be a bird nerd with you 🙂 Love birds and love the spike you gave him 🙂 Have a Chirpy Cheery weekend my friend!
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Awh! Thanks C. You too my friend!
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Amazing how you do that without any lines! Very nice!
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Brilliant!
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You are very sweet Sylvia!
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That cardinal has attitude and you captured it well.
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LOL! Yes he does 🙂
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It’s beautiful! Cardinals don’t live here so I think you’re very blessed to have them where you are. Someday I hope to see one, and I hope I make a good image of it too. I’ll use the image for memories, and reference material if I ever try to draw/paint one myself.
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What is your favorite bird where you live?
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It’s the Spring visitor to our area the Lazuli Bunting! They don’t visit my yard feeders unfortunately. I’ll have to see about a new feeding mixture that might lure them to the yard.
I have to go out hunting for them each Spring.
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Oh it is SO BEAUTIFUL! Just googled it! Now I want to paint it 🙂 I’ve never seen one, but you are on the other side of the US. Thanks so much for sharing this beauty!
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Jodi, you are doing such an awesome job watercoloring! The cardinal looks fantastic! Seriously! Keep it up because you are getting better and better!
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Thanks PJ!
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I love that you are showing us what you are doing with your watercolors. Who knows, maybe it will give me the nerve to show my art someday. LOL
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I sure hope !! 👍
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Love the personality in your painted Cardinal! Just seems like yesterday that baby cardinal was born! Glad you are enjoying watercolors Jodi! You have a wonderful style! 🐦🎨🌟
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Time does a fly!!
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Hahaha! Great one Jodi! 😊
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Wow, this is beautiful, and your progress in only 3 months is amazing!!!
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thank you kindly! 🙂
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That cardinal is gorgeous…in the photo, but even more so in your painting. I, too, am a bird nerd, and I’m sad that cardinals don’t live in my territory.
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awh- thanks! 🙂 do you have a favorite in your territory?
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Jodi, you’ve come a long way from those stick figure days. The Cardinal is beautiful!
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Thanks Buddy! Stick figures are fun too 🙂
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You are getting so good at painting, you really are, Jodi! Hope you’re having a great weekend. 😀
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You are so kind – thanks for sharing the journey and for the encouragement. Having a great weekend and hope you are too! They are always too short 🙂
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I know what you mean. I’d petition our congress to do something about legally extending weekends, but getting them to do anything is hopeless. So I don’t hold out much hope of that happening. :O)
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Absolutely fabulous. ❤️❤️ There’s something about a red bird that just makes you happy.
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Thanks Lin – so true – bright red is such a happy color -especially in a bird.
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Wow Jodi! Stunning!
Jenna
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Thanks Jenna – he was fun to paint 🙂
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Great photo and likeness, Jodi
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Thanks George – the cardinals are some of my faves. The females are so pretty in their own right too 🙂
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I love your stately Cardinal! I find watercolor to be a very challenging medium. I applaud your skill. We a have a cardinal that visits our yard too and I get stupid excited every time I spot him!!
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Thanks Nancy! It is challenging, but fun! I know what you mean about getting stupid excited – LOL! My son makes such fun of hubby and I fussing about the birds 🙂 – He’ll say ‘Look – there’s a bird – oooo wow – can you believe there’s a bird outside?!” haha!
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Wow, your son sounds like mine! 😄
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LOL! And I hear myself in him making fun of my grandma or my in-laws when they were “old” like us – you know 50ish – haha – and liked watching silly things like birds. They will enjoy it someday too. 🙂
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You are a very talented artist! And because I’m from St. Louis, and our baseball team is the Cardinals, I’m especially impressed by this one! But seriously, those are very good…..
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Ann – thank you – I am humbled that you would call me an artist – LOL! Hey – speaking of your STL Cardinals – sorry we had to beat you last night – Let’s Go Bucs! 🙂 teeheeheee! My son was at the game for a bachelor party day. Your boys gave us a run for our money!
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