Watercolour Osprey – the Painting Process
![Original watercolor osprey painting by Paul Hopkinson](https://devonartist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Original-watercolor-osprey-painting-by-Paul-Hopkinson.jpg)
I recently came across a series of photos I had taken during the process of painting this osprey in watercolour. I thought it may be of interest so have made it the subject of today’s blog post.
The Osprey is actually a pretty rare bird in the UK, but
Paint-along with Paul
![](https://devonartist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Blog-paint-along-realistic-watercolour-eye.jpg)
Paint-along with Paul, well this was certainly something new that I did this week. This live event has been something that I have been planning for sometime. I enjoy live painting sessions. Firstly they really get the adrenalin flowing. Secondly…
Beginner’s Guide to Drawing Birds
![Beginner guide to drawing by Paul Hopkinson](https://devonartist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Beginner-guide-to-drawing-by-Paul-Hopkinson-1024x605.jpg)
What method do you use to get the outline drawing onto the watercolour paper? Ideally if we all had time I am sure we would all aspire to freehand draw. However, if you have never drawn before where do you start…?
Preparing to Paint a Montage of Garden Birds
![Garden-bird-watercolour-painting-by-Paul-Hopkinson](https://devonartist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Garden-bird-watercolour-painting-by-Paul-Hopkinson.jpg)
Preparing to paint this montage of garden birds was quite a complex process. I therefore thought I would write it up for anyone else who may be considering a similar project.
A Tawny Owl in Watercolour
![Paint a realistic owl in watercolour alongside Paul Hopkinson](https://devonartist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Paint-a-realistic-owl-in-watercolour-alongside-Paul-Hopkinson.jpg)
Would you like to learn how to paint a realistic owl in watercolour in easy to follow stages? Tawny Owls are beautiful birds of British woodlands. Whilst essentially a brown bird I can assure you…
Surveying for Dormice
![Hazel Dormouse Photo](https://devonartist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Hazel-Dormouse-Photo.jpg)
Yesterday we were really lucky to be invited along to watch trained and licensed volunteers surveying for Dormice in an Exmoor wood. This all came about because I fancy painting a Dormouse. So for a while…
How to Paint a Detailed Robin
![Robin photographed at Halsdon Nature Reserve](https://devonartist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Robin-photo-Halsdon-Nature-reserve.jpg)
A little start to finish on how to paint a robin in detailed watercolour. To begin with I needed a photo to work from. This was a project from a few years back when I had time to take some of my own reference…
Using Watercolour to Paint Detail
![Applying loose watercolour wash](https://devonartist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Applying-loose-watercolour-wash.jpg)
Should you follow my work you will know I like using watercolour to paint realistic detail. However, the traditional way of using watercolour is to apply it wet in wet in a very loose style.
Stretching Watercolour Paper
![Gum tape for stretching watercolour paper](https://devonartist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Gum-tape-for-stretching-watercolour-paper.jpg)
There are so many different ways of stretching watercolour paper. You can simply wet the back of a sheet and gum tape it down to a board. Alternatively soak the paper in a tub for…
Harvest Mouse – Micromys minutus
![Watercolour harvest mouse painting](https://devonartist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Watercolour-harvest-mouse-painting.jpg)
With the crops ripening around us the classic image of a Harvest Mouse – Micromys minutus, balancing on an ear of wheat comes to mind. At between 4 and 6g they have no difficulty sitting on the flimsiest…
Pied Flycatcher Painting – Part 2
![Photographing pied flycatchers on Exmoor](https://devonartist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Photographing-pied-flycatchers-exmoor.jpg)
So, to carry on from where we left off last week and now to how I painted a pair of Pied Flycatchers. We are at the point where I had my reference material decided upon. So I was just…
Pied Flycatcher Painting – Part 1
![Female Pied Flycatcher photographed on Exmoor](https://devonartist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Female-Pied-Flycatcher-photographed-on-Exmoor.jpg)
Back in 2013 we were very fortunate to be helping a licensed bird ringer monitor and maintain his bird boxes in a wood near Exmoor. He was particularly hoping to encourage Pied Flycatchers to his boxes. Aware…