A new Bird & Teacup on the easel today! This time it’s one of the little Dark-eyed Junkos that are always underfoot. This one is nestled into some branches of Star Magnolia that my friend painter Isaias Sandoval had cut for me from his tree. I love the way it’s coming together!

I sketched out the image in magenta oil…

Blocked in the darks and mid tones of the background loosely…

Worked in the branches…

Paid some attention to my bird…

Laying in the shadows in the petals and cup, they may look like white flowers but they have a huge range of warm and cool colors (pinks. yellows, greens, treys, lavenders and blues) in both the shadows…

And the highlights…

More tomorrow!