Simply Paint Birds

£12.99

A complete watercolour course for beginners by Tom Shepherd (Author)

Book Description

Unlock the world of contemporary watercolour bird painting with popular artist and dynamic teacher, Tom Shepherd.

Painting birds doesn't have to be technical or daunting, even for a complete beginner. Through friendly advice and clear instructions, expert artist and tutor Tom Shepherd will show you how to paint 26 dynamic, colourful birds in 8 steps each, including:

Eagles
Flamingos
Owls
Macaw parrots
Red Cardinals
Toucans
Robins

If you’re a complete beginner, simply follow the projects in order to learn how to handle watercolour in achievable, rewarding steps. You will build essential skills while producing impressive results right from the start. Meanwhile, if you’re a confident hobby artist, you can dip in and out wherever you wish.

Tom's step-by-step process for each bird is simple and achievable, and uses just a few watercolour paints and a handful of brushes. His style is fresh and contemporary, and his clear instructions will allow you to achieve the same loose, dynamic results.

Introduction6
Materials8
Techniques and tips12
Projects
Raven 24
Blackbird 28
Swan 32
Avocet 36
Rockhopper penguins 40
Red Cardinal 44
Flamingo 48
Scarlet Ibis 52
Toucan 56
Hummingbird 60
Lovebirds 64
Bateleur Eagle 68
Tawny Owl 72
Scarlet Macaw 76
Robin 80
Carmine Bee-eater 84
Kingfisher 88
Mandarin Duck 92
Hoopoe 96
Bluejay 100
Barn Owl 104
Turtle Dove 108
Bald Eagle 112
Blue-and-Gold Macaw 116
Resplendent Quetzal 120
Peacock 124

About the Author

About Tom Shepherd

Tom Shepherd began his artistic journey creating custom artwork on guitars using graffiti pens. But it was the move to a brush and more traditional media that truly opened the door to his world as an artist and from that point on, there was no turning back.

Today, Tom paints a wide range of subjects, although he is continually drawn back to his earliest love of wildlife, and in particular, birds. His work is known for its loose, expressive, carefree style, with a strong focus on light, atmosphere, and confident painterly brushwork.

Alongside his own painting, Tom is a highly regarded and much sought-after tutor. He teaches in-person through residential workshops, painting holidays, and even Art Safaris in Zambia; as well as online, where he shares his approach with students from all over the world through his School of Watercolour (www.schoolofwatercolour.com).

At the heart of it all is a simple goal and drive to help others on their own creative journey. Whether picking up a brush for the first time or painting for decades, Tom believes that supporting others along the way is not only a joy, but a privilege, and one of the most rewarding parts of being an artist.

He also believes deeply in passing on knowledge, recognising that none of us would be where we are without those who came before us, generously sharing their experience.

Tom’s work is collected internationally, and he has been a highly commended finalist in the prestigious Wildlife Artist of the Year competition on several occasions. Alongside his painting, he supports conservation by contributing a portion of his teaching and artwork sales to UK-based projects.

He also supports a project bringing art materials to children in rural communities in Kenya, where even basic supplies like paper and pencils are not always available. So often taken for granted, drawing and creativity can be a vital part of childhood, supporting development as well as emotional and mental wellbeing. Through this, Tom hopes to share the joy of creativity as a simple but powerful way of connecting with both the world around us and ourselves. Website: www.schoolofwatercolour.com

Instagram (20k followers): @tomshepherdartist

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Watercolour

By Tom Shepherd

£15.99