Great Blue Heron ~ "Drifting Away" ~ "Oh, to Fly" ~ Watercolor Pairs tree swallow

tree swallow

the second more resolute

The zebra-striped back pattern was the painting's technical challenge — precise enough to read as barring

The brown pelican's plumage moves through a range of warm earth tones — chocolate

The still posture might seem like an easier subject than a heron in flight

Great Blue Heron ~ "Drifting Away" ~ "Oh, to Fly" ~ Watercolor Pairs tree swallowThis great heron watercolor art captures a blue heron in a moment of pure serenity gliding, unhurried, as if the air itself is carrying it somewhere it doesn't need to rush to reach. "Drifting Away" is one of the more contemplative pieces in my Oh, to Fly! collection. Where some of my herons feel powerful and grounded, this one feels free. I painted it freehand on archival cotton rag paper, working alla prima (completed in a single session) with