Blue-winged Warbler

Did you know that the Golden-wing Warbler and the Blue-winged Warbler show very little genetic difference?  Of course you did!  That said, I think the reference photo is a Blue-winged Warbler, of course it could be of the hybrid Lawrence's Warber. . .

Not sure when I started painting birds so often, but this one came out quite nicely (the contrast in the colors is not so good in this scan compared to the actual painting).  I really wanted to make the background in this soft and etherial.  So I used masking fluid (see below for what not to do) to protect the bird and the branches.

                                        Watercolor on 140 lbs paper 9x12*

This painting is an example of if at first you do not succeed. . .I originally wanted to do this in my perfect sketch book.  The masking fluid that I used was old and gushed out of the applicator.  The liquid seeped into the fibers of the paper and that temporary masking fluid became permanent.  That green goop is bonded to the paper.  I had to cut that page out of the book because the stuff was still tacky to the touch 5 hours later.

*photo reference: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology 2017 Calendar (July; BN Singh)