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Watercolour Wren Tutorial (Patreon)

Published:
2019-06-12 07:41:37
Edited:
2020-05-30 07:43:32
Imported:
2026-10
Tags:

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Content

Here's the watercolour Wren tutorial for 'Brush Marks' and 'Graded Washes' patrons. 

If you'd like to share your finished paintings I'd love to see them. I have a private Facebook group  just for students.

Thank you!

xx

Files

Fairy Wren for Patreon

Comments

Nancy Munroe

I’m a beginner doing my 1st Patreon tutorial. this little wren so pretty & I really appreciate your lovely teaching style, it’s very helpful and clear. I am having trouble with a technique & I’m sure I’m missing something that should be obvious but here’s what’s happening. I dry the base layer and start the second layer by wetting the paper I am reactivating the first layer and making a mess. I’m using artist grade paint and tried a good pulp watercolour paper and also a 100% cotton paper.. I think I had better luck with the cotton paper but just wondering if I’m misunderstanding this technique

Louise De Masi

Hi Nancy, thank you! That happens to me sometimes too. It will happen if the colour I'm re-wetting is quite dark. If it's a light colour it usually stays in place. You need to make sure it's completely dry. I use a hair dryer when I'm painting and I use it on the hot setting for quite a few minutes before I re-wet. I also use soft brushes and a delicate touch. If your brushes aren't soft and if you paint the water on with a heavy hand that may also be creating problems for you. Some papers also don't hold onto the paint as well as others. For example, Fabriano Artistico paper is one that allows the colours to easily lift which can be frustrating when you don't want that to happen.

Nancy Munroe

Thank you so very much, I’m beyond excited to be on this adventure.

Mercè

I'm in the same situation . Thanks for the question.

Mercè

I will put your advice into practice. Thank you.

Sheryl Hill

I painted this beautiful wren. I made some mistakes. I want to paint it again. I have never stretched my arches 140 lb. Paper. I am next time. I need to watch you video on how to stretch watercolor paper again.

Marijke de Boer

Lovely little bird - looking forward learning the techniques!

Huna

Such a cutie bird and putting her best foot forward! Thank you!

Chantal NUGUES-PERRIN

I am collecting everything I need ... And I will give it a try !!!

Paige Flutterbye

Absolute gorgeous & amazingly explained Louise. Thank you so much. Now i need more courage (and possibly more paint).

Vanda Cummins

I tried this painting from your youtube video and it turned out quite well, I'm looking forward to learning from this video and seeing the difference in results :)

Louise De Masi

Welcome Vanda! Let me know if I can help you with anything.

Paige Flutterbye

thank you so incredibly much Louise! i think i have to try do some colour mixing when i get the chance . thank you again

Kathy Johnson

"Love, love, love" this video tutorial--and so excited to give it a go!!! Paints are picked out--and tracing as we speak........ PS Seeing our names at the end of the video--really put a "smile" on my face--so thank you for that Louise--I am sooo "happy" to be a part of your Patreon community--and I'm really looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us!!! :-)

Marijke de Boer

I managed to do this pretty little wren. With your help I made it happen :)

Chantal NUGUES-PERRIN

I did it !!! Thank you so much for this tuto which has put me back on the saddle !!! I will try with the rose...

Louise De Masi

I love your little wren painting Shari! It's beautiful. I'm so happy that you were inspired to paint another one. Thank you for the shout-out too!

Tricia Commons

Hi. I am going to try and do the fairy wren lesson tomorrow. I have l

Tricia Commons

all of the Winsor Newton watercolors except I have cad red pale which I will dilute and I do not have indigo blue.

Tricia Commons

Could I substitute a mix of my prussian blue, intense phalo blue, cobalt blue or ultramarine or something else in the meantime to try and come close to indigo blue? Help Louise! The cadmium red is my substitute for orange around the eye.

Tricia Commons

Opps the cad red is called pale hue #103.

Louise De Masi

Hi Tricia, Use Cobalt Blue or Prussian Blue. Don't worry about matching colours exactly. 🧡

Tricia Commons

Thank you for your help! By the way, looking at Daniel Smith watercolors that you mention in some of your lessons. What do you think about the Daniel Smith sets called "Jean Haines series" including the iridescent and pearlescent sets? Never used any of these but going to try and paint my wild peacock photo I took this summer after I get more of your lessons under my belt. The Jean Haines' set has an iridescent blue that may or may not compliment my painting? I am not going to paint until late September!🧐 Any advice, Louise?

Louise De Masi

I've never used them Tricia but i just had a search on Google. I think they'd be perfect for a peacock to add a shimmer to your painting. It says you can use them on their own or you can glaze them over the top of another colour. I think that's the way I would use them. I'd paint it first with ordinary paint and then glaze the shimmery colour over the top but only in a few key places. I don't think I'd put it everywhere.

Rita Navroth

This fairy wren was so wonderful and fun to paint! Love this little one. Thank you Louise for a easy to follow and through tutorial. I learn so much.

Nancy

I'm starting with this cute little guy. I dont have all the correct size brushes, or all the paint colour ( no payne's grey or sepia) , and the 140lb hot pressed paper.......... I'll show you what I come up with. 😊

Louise De Masi

Thanks Nancy. You can email me at ldemasi@iprimus.com.au if you need any help.

Nancy

Thanks

Marrandrina

I've been working on this painting, but I have a different brand of watercolors so I think it's going to be different in value/hues. I'm struggling with the right amount of water to use to dampen the paper: I think too less cause the colour doesn't spread as it should. I guess I'm gonna learn it with some practice...hopefully 😄

Louise De Masi

Hi Marrandrina, it does take a lot of practice to understand how much water to use. Mine usually has a good sheen on the paper when I paint. If it's too wet it will float above the paper and the paint will float around on top of the water. If it's too dry, the paint won't 'bleed' softly across the surface. Sometimes you have to get down level with the paper to see the water on there or hold it up to your eyes, pointing to a light or a window to see the sheen on the surface. Keep practicing and one day you'll know instinctively what to do.

Marrandrina

Thanks for the advice, Louise

Karen Stoner

Hi Louise- Thank you so much for these wonderful tutorials. I loved painting this little wren-my first project with you and I am super thrilled with the results. I'm finally beginning to manage the wet on wet technique, thanks to you. As I move forward with other tutorials, it would be helpful if you indicated which ones are for beginners, intermediates, and advanced painters. I usually watch through the entire tutorial before I attempt to paint along, but knowing in advance which ones are for beginners would be great! Thanks again.

Louise De Masi

My pleasure Karen and thank you. That's a great suggestion.

SUSAN RUTH Beckman

Hello Louise : ) i have just completed the Wren painting with you and d

SUSAN RUTH Beckman

it is adorable! Thank you so much for your wonderful tutorials!! I am learning to paint because of you. I do have a question about the final finishing touches on the fuzzy tail feathers. I used white ink, though not the brand you used and it looks blue. i understand it must be the dark blue under the ink showing through. Tell me, please, is it blue because of something I have done wrong or is this the natural look that yours has as well.

Louise De Masi

Hi Susan, I find I have to coat mine more than once because when it dries it's still transparent. So it's probably the dark blue showing through. Just give it another coat or two if it's bothering you or just leave it because it doesn't have to be white. Thank you!

Pauline Ferguson

Hi Louise, I am new to your classes and just finished this little fella. He turned out lovely, except for the tail. I really messed that up as the paint kept running from one feather to the other. I tried to fix it but failed so I am going to try this one again in a little while. The rest of him is really cute. Thank you so much for sharing your talent. Really enjoyed painting this little guy.

Louise De Masi

Hi Pauline. Welcome and my pleasure! I'm glad you enjoyed painting him. Not to worry about the tail....just think how good the next one will turn out. 💕

Teresa Dickison

Hi Louise, first of all thank you for your way of instructing your tutorials, they are easy to follow and I love your way of painting. I picked up the paint brush after putting it down in 1976 to raise a family, go to collage, and work full time as a nurse at the university California Davis Medical Center. I am now retired and painting again and loving it. I am a bit rusty though but very proud how my Fairy Wren bird turned out. What I need to know is how to sign my painting. I ask this because I once painted a copy of a picture from a famous artist in Oregon, even though I had her permission to paint it I signed her name / my name out of respect. Thank you.

Louise De Masi

Hi Teresa, lucky you being retired and painting again. After working as a nurse you've earned your retirement. How you sign your name is a personal thing. I usually use a graphite mechanical pencil (very thin) and I sign down low, fairly small, either on the left or right side of the painting. I make sure I leave some white paper around the border where it will sit behind a mat when it is framed.

Manori Indraratne

hi Louise, thank you so much for this tutorial. I did this and it came out better than I expected. however I really messed up the tail so I am going it do it again. I am sure I will have to do it a few more times before I get it right. once I am happy with version I will frame it and hang it up in my room. I love it. Thank you so much.

Louise De Masi

Hi Manori. My pleasure. I'm glad you enjoyed it. You have the right attitude. If at first you don't succeed try, try again. 💕

Trish Bekker

I have just done the fairy wren on practice paper (cheap watercolour paper) before I painted him on my more expensive paper. I am learning a lot stil and prepare to make my mistakes without breaking the bank. I was actually quite pleased with it till I tried to "highlight" to gt the glow at the end and my paper disintegrated! I am struggling with the feathery strokes - also struggled with these when I did the robin's feathered strokes. Don't quite know what I am doing wrong.

Trish Bekker

Thanks for you teaching, its so easy to follow. you are so patient and helpful.

Louise De Masi

Hi Trish, cheap paper won't stand up to any rubbing. It's not you, it's the paper. Cheaper paper is also more difficult to paint on. You can paint on both sides of good quality paper so if you get some, paint on both sides so that you don't waste as much of it.

Mary Jo Prickett

Hello Louise! Please consider putting the tutorial of the Wren sitting backwards on the branch. You have it on YouTube but it's a short video. I would love to have the full video on here so I can follow along easier! Thank you! 😊

Louise De Masi

I will Mary Jo. Thank you for letting me know you are interested. 💕

Delores Lopez

Dear Louise,Thank's for the link to Jackson's Art Supplies.I just received my DaVinci Maestro brushes 002 -size 7,and 3 pans of watercolors by Hordam.I have not been able to obtain these brushes anywhere on the West Coast of the U.S. You have inspired me to return to watercolor painting,and my artwork.I hope your eyes are fine.

Louise De Masi

My pleasure Delores. I hope you love the brushes. Thank you! 💕

Betty Johnson

Hello, I used water soluble pencils to sketch this bird directly onto the paper and now I'm afraid to get it wet. Should I be worried?

Louise De Masi

Hi Betty. No I don't think you should be scared. Lots of artists use watercolour pencils to sketch their drawings onto their paper. I think you'll be ok as long as you didn't use really bright vibrant colours.

Betty Johnson

What an incredibly beautiful little bird. Tomorrow, I will be starting on her for the third time. I want her to be as perfect as I can paint her as she will be a gift for our little granddaughter named. . . . Wren.

Jacqueline Dyke

Great tutorial Louise. I got lots of things wrong, but thought it was one of the better results I have done in watercolour. Thank you.

Louise De Masi

Thank you Jacqueline and my pleasure. That’s good news. I’m glad!

Betty Johnson

Louise - I completed this little wren and posted it to the FB page. I made some mistakes, but as a beginner, I'm thrilled. I think I may have a problem(s) with the wren, but I have no idea how to fix it; I got it's underside a bit too dark. Is there any way that I can lift out that color a bit and brighten it? Thank you.

Louise De Masi

You’ve done a wonderful job Betty! You should be thrilled. It’s beautiful. If you want to try to lighten that area you can dampen it with water from your brush and use a tissue to dab at the paint. Do it a few times, it might lighten it a little for you. It’s gorgeous so don’t worry too much. Be aware of that if you decide to try it again. 💕

Betty Johnson

Thank you for such a quick response! And also thank you for your words of encouragement. As is repeated here so often, you are a superb teacher and I'm so lucky to have found you. I think I might try just a tiny corner and see what happens. Your wren looks so happy and cheerful. I wanted to convey that feeling with my wren, also.

Priscilla Mengyan

Hi Louise. I'm getting geared up to start this tutorial but I don't have the correct brushes. The Da Vinci Maestro brushes are so confusing. Your list of supplies says "Maestro round brush – Series 35 size #3" but the one I think it is doesn't look like the one you show in your video. I just want to get the right one. :) Would you do me a favor and look at dickblick.com (https://www.dickblick.com/products/da-vinci-maestro-kolinsky-brushes/) and tell me exactly which #3 brush you use? It's just impossible to figure out. Is it: Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Brush - Long Tapered Round, Short Handle, Size 3 (Item#: 06753-1003) or the Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Brush - Long Tapered Round, Short Handle, Size 3/0 (Item#: 06753-7030) or something totally different? Thanks so much for your help!

Louise De Masi

Hi Priscilla, Right up the top of the list you can see the column that says 'series'. It's the second column right next to the image of the brushes....... Scroll down until you see series 35. Mine is the Long Tapered Round size 3 - short handle 3.2mm, 17mm $29.95 , $22.09

Sue Gates

I've just purchased a Fabriano Watercolour book 300GSM to do studies in. It's buckling a lot when I put water on it, do your studies do this? I'm starting with this little wren and it's not looking great.

Louise De Masi

Hi Sue, Yes that happens for me too when I use a journal. To try and minimise it I get some wide washi tape from the hardware store and I tape all the pages in the book together around the edges. That helps a little but you'll still get some buckling. You could also try some large bull dog clips around the edges instead of the tape.

Sue Gates

Thanks for the great tip. I'm looking forward to having all your lovely lessons in one place.

Dilini Atapattu

Hi Louise I painted this wren n I’m so happy. It’s nt perfect like yours but I’m happy with it. I want to show you that. How can I send you?

Louise De Masi

Hi Dilini, That's wonderful! I'm glad. There's nowhere on Patreon to share things unfortunately but you could join the private facebook group and post it. I'll see it there. Let me know if you want the link again. Or you could send me a message with it attached on instagram or a private message on Facebook if you don't want to join the group. This is me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/louise.demasi

Sharry Downs

I finished my little Wren and he turned out so beautiful... I really enjoy your tutorials and I am learning so much.. Thank you!

Yvonne Walton

Thank you for a wonderful tutorial. I love my finish painting and my husband said I should frame it. Thank you.

Louise De Masi

That's wonderful Yvonne! It makes me very happy to know. Thank you for telling me.

Gerda Vellinga

My very first tutorial with Louise. It came out better than I expected, but not perfect in any way. A bit messy in places. I learned a lot but there is still a lot more to learn. Thank you for this. Up to the next one!

Darlene Mollard

My wren came out nicely but I had a terrible time with my indigo paint (Winsor&Newton). I dried it with a hairdryer but when I put a wash over it the paint bled with the water. Is there a special trick to using this particular colour? (Painted on Fabrinano 140lbs paper)

Louise De Masi

Hi Darlene, I'm not sure what you mean by 'the paint bled with the water' because all paint bleeds with the water on the paper. Do you mean it bled onto areas where you didn't want it to go or do you mean it lifted off the paper when you re-wet it?

Darlene Mollard

The paint lifted off the paper when I re-wet it.

Louise De Masi

I always find that dark colours lift off the paper much more easily than lighter colours and colours lift very easily on Fabriano paper - more so than on Arches. I'd say you had difficulty because it's a dark colour and because you used Fabriano paper. It's nothing you are doing wrong. Maybe to avoid it in the future dry it extra well with your hairdryer and use a very light touch with your brush if you have to do anything else over the top of it.

Darlene Mollard

Thank you! Much appreciated. I’m loving your tutorials and tell everyone who’ll listen about them and also about what a great artist and teacher you are.

Wendy Kelcey

Again, thank you so much for your detailed explanation of this beautiful painting which is next on my list. When I watch you paint, and a question pops in my head, you immediately answer it. The mark of an excellent teacher.! You instinctively know what a student might query. You leave nothing unsaid and cover any questions one might have! Thank you Louise! I love soaking this all up!

Hanna

Louise, i am always trying to figure out after looking at a reference photo what colors I should use. For this little bird I’d think of indigo, browns, ultramarine, and orange of course. However the violet I wouldn’t. How can we better learn how to evaluate a photo, what colors to use and also how to simplify a reference photo? Thx

Louise De Masi

Experience, practise, experimentation, lack of fear, learning from others -- all of those things. If you can see a cool colour on your reference photo - and it looks blue - choose a blue you like and drop in another cool colour like violet to add interest. If it looks more violet- put some violet on there and drop in some blue. The reference photo is only ever a guide, a starting point. Enhance the colours you see, play with them, don't fear them. Pay attention to the value of the colours you see (how light or how dark they are) and pay attention to their temperature (are they warm or are they cool?) Those two things are more important than the hue you choose.

Hanna

Thx. I took notes and will keep trying. I think i need to break free from the reference photo but also study more shadows and how the color of the subject reflects on it.

Kara Vasquez

I loved painting this little wren! It was a good challenge for a beginner like me, but I feel like I captured the little guy really well. I loved your color choices. Thank you!