Step by Step Kookaburra Images (copyright Sarah Stokes 2022)

I've created a step by step guide, using images and my next blog discusses my thoughts about composing a peace digitally and communicating with clients before, during and afterwards.

The above photo reference by Matthew Willimott of Unsplash

The drawing, outline traced

The first layer, never attractive!

Coming to life with the eyes in place

Building up colour and depth on the back of the bird

Painting the branch

When it comes to adding splashes, I always use colours that I’ve used in the piece and keep the larger splashes towards the subject, getting progressively smaller as they move to the edge of the piece. I always keep clean water and tissue nearby in case any of them land in an unwanted space!!