A quick little blue tit

The temperature here in Devon has dropped and you can feel a chill in the air. Much to my husband's annoyance I have persuaded him it is time to turn up the heating. However we are still making the very most of fine days

A trip last week to the coast, was a real treat. i could indulge in a spot of beachcombing and we enjoyed a lovely meal outside.

Then the news hit about panic buying and petrol shortages? Just like it was when we got married 21 years ago and you begin to realise how much we all depend on each other. A break in a chain affects us all , it is easy to begin to judge others , luckily we didn't need to go far and were able to leave what petrol there is for those who may need it more.

So when another sunny day arrived we went a on a local walk, and marvelled at the views closer to home.

I don't know what recent events can teach us, we all seem to be doing the best we can with the resources we've got.

I am revisiting my work and wanting to show you the second in my bird series, the blue tit

First sketch out the blue tit.

Then add a tiny bit of masking fluid, on his wings with a paper clip .

Then wet the top of his head with water and drop in cerulean blue gradually getting darker towards the back using cobalt blue.

Then using your smaller brushes paint his eye, and beak. Finally adding a steak of indigo across his head, I like to wet the paper first so it has nice soft edges resembling feathers.

Now add a nice bright yellow belly , looking where you want it to have darker shadows, and adding indigo for that dark area on his tummy. Then onto the feathers using sap green and cobalt blue.

Also the tail feathers 

Then let everything dry and add the finishing touches, some darker areas, and areas of shadow, plus some splats and splashes to give him movement.....oh yes and his little legs too

Have some fun