Last Updated on March 11, 2026 by Dee
Are you ready to spread your wings and soar into the realm of artistic expression? I have a treat that will have your paintbrushes fluttering with excitement – an array of 20 Whimsical Watercolor Birds Painting Ideas! I’ve put together a free printable pack for you — grab the free Watercolor Bird Templates here 👇🏻!
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20 Watercolor Birds (Painting Ideas)
Essential Watercolor Painting Supplies List
This is our go-to list of recommended watercolor painting supplies that we use for all our watercolor art, junk journaling, and art journaling!
- Watercolors: Windsor & Newton is a reputable brand that offers high-quality watercolor paints. You can choose from their range of professional-grade watercolor tubes or pans, depending on your preference.
- Watercolor Paper: Look for cold-pressed, 140lb (300gsm) watercolor paper for the best results. This type of paper is durable and has a nice texture that’s ideal for watercolor painting.
- Brushes: A selection of round and flat brushes in various sizes will give you the versatility you need for different strokes and details. Sable or synthetic brushes designed for watercolor will give you the best performance.
- Palette: A mixing palette with wells for both mixing and holding your paints is essential. It can be a simple plastic one or a porcelain palette for a more luxurious feel.
- Water Container: Any clean jar or container will do, but having two for clean and dirty water can help keep your colors pure.
- Masking Fluid: This is used to cover areas of your painting that you want to keep white. Make sure to apply it with an old brush or a dedicated masking fluid brush, as it can ruin fine bristles.
- Pencils: A soft pencil, like a 2B, is great for sketching your design before painting.
- Eraser: A kneaded eraser is gentle on watercolor paper and can lift pencil lines without damaging the surface.
- Paper Towels or a Rag: These are useful for blotting your brush to control the amount of water and paint.
- Board: If you’re using watercolor paper from a pad or sheets, you might want to tape your paper down to a board to prevent warping.
How to Paint Watercolor Birds (Tips for Beginners)
Painting watercolor birds might look tricky, but once you break each bird down into simple shapes, it becomes so much easier. Here are my favourite tips for getting beautiful results, even if you’re just starting out.
Start With the Basic Shape
Every bird starts as an egg shape for the body and a smaller circle for the head. Sketch these lightly in pencil first before you even pick up your brush. Once you’re happy with the proportions, you can add the tail, beak, and legs.
Work Wet-on-Wet for Soft Feathers
Load your brush with plenty of water and drop colour onto damp paper. This creates those gorgeous soft edges that make watercolor birds look so alive. Let the pigments blend naturally rather than trying to control every stroke — watercolor does its best work when you let it flow.
Layer From Light to Dark
Always start with your lightest wash and build up to the darker tones. Paint the pale breast and belly area first, then add the deeper wing and tail feathers once the first layer is dry. This layering is what gives watercolor birds that beautiful luminous quality.
Use a Fine Brush for Details
Switch to a small round brush (size 0 or 1) for the beak, eyes, and tiny feather details. The eye is the most important detail — a single dot of dark paint with a tiny white highlight brings your bird to life instantly.
Best Watercolour Supplies for Painting Birds
You don’t need expensive supplies to get started. A basic set of student-grade watercolours, a couple of round brushes (size 6 and size 1), and some cold-pressed watercolour paper will do beautifully. As you get more confident, upgrading to artist-grade paints will give you richer, more vibrant colours.
Don’t Forget the Background
A simple colour wash behind your bird makes it pop off the page. Try a loose splash of green for a garden bird, soft blue for a sky scene, or leave it white for a clean, modern look.
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Looking forward to learning this media.
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