I havenât drawn a REAL bird in awhile so I decided to try the American Robin. Â
I have been observing them outside my kitchen window snacking on dried red berries from my crabapple tree.
I started with a light pencil sketch on 140 lb cold press watercolor paper before I added a wash of color:

The robins have been fluffing up their feathers to keep themselves warm since we still have winter with more snow on the way! ;-(  Apparently, the robinâs body temperatures are 104 degrees Fahrenheit so by fluffing up their feathers they keep their bodies warm.
I finished my painting by adding details with watercolor pencils:

I will be adding this American Robin to my mixed media sketchbook.  I will show you my completed page next Monday.
When I see a Robin in winter, I will picture them a little differently now.  A sauna comes to mind… perhaps there is a future weird bird here! đ
Happy Friday!
Cheers! đ
P.S.  If youâd like to see a previous post I did on a Robin, you can find it here:  An American Robin  It is wonderful to look back and see how I am making progress in my drawing and watercolor skills!