A robin for Christmas in 10 easy steps

Hi all so as Christmas draws ever closer, I thought you might like some seasonal blogs , things to while away an afternoon or things that you can pop on a card and send to a good friend.

 I have been so busy running around , waiting in queues at the post office. Trying to get commissions  done, and thinking about writing Christmas cards. As I flick through my old address book I encountered names and crossings out...people who are no longer with us or friends I don't see. It made me think how fragile 'now' is, lets make the most of it, say the things you want to say to people .Wear that top you've been saving for best...you never know.

I also want to make the most of 'here' as well as 'now'

A walk in a lovely Devon wood

A long look up through the old branches, what has this old tree 'seen', who else has passed this way ?

Decades past this tree has stood here, and we can only marvel at it's endurance.

Savouring a sunset on a fine cold crisp Devon Day , 

As we head towards the shortest day, and hold the ones we love closer, these are the things I want to savour...oh yes and the odd mince pie !

 

So take some time out and have a go at my little robin , have fun x

 

Step 1

Draw your robin.....

Step 2

Spray around the robin with water 

Step 3.

Tap colours onto the sprayed water, so the paint bleeds out around the drawn robin, use colours that you're going to use in your painting 

Step 4

Begin on the details, the leg

Step 5 

Paint the eye, remember to leave some light in the eye and add some very dark darks.

Step 6

The beak, in cerulean blue with darker tones in cobalt blue mixed with burnt umber 

Step 7,

adding some tones to the white feathers with blues and purples

 

Step 8

Paint his red breast, which isn't just red but yellow , orange and browny red, blend and add the colours until you are happy.

and the brown wings in burnt umber.

Add some blue then merge to the brown of the wings. 

Step 9