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#simplycreate a ringneck parakeet painting

How to paint a parakeet with watercolours

Jennie Wickings, artist and illustrator, finds all her inspiration in animals and nature. In this tutorial, you will learn how to paint a ringneck parakeet with watercolours! Parakeets are small to medium-sized species of parrots.

How to paint a parakeet with watercolours

Jennie Wickings, artist and illustrator, finds all her inspiration in animals and nature. In this tutorial, you will learn how to paint a ringneck parakeet with watercolours! Parakeets are small to medium-sized species of parrots.

The materials in your kit

Simply Watercolour Paint Set
Simply Watercolour Brushes
Simply Watercolour Paper
Simply Sketching Pencil Set

Your step by step guide

Step 1
Find a model

Look outside or look online to find a model of a ringneck parakeet. To colour your parakeet, find inspiration by simply looking at the flowers around you.

Next step
Step 2
Gather your paints and tools

Select your paints and place little blobs of them on your white mixing palette. Tear off a square of watercolour paper for trials. Gather your watercolour paper and watercolour brushes. You will also need sketching pencils and a glass of water. 

Tip: In this tutorial, Jennie uses acrylic brushes as she preferred the stiffness of them - you can easily identify them as they have an orange handle, Simply watercolour brushes have a blue handle. Simply acrylic brushes can be used as mixed media brushes and used with watercolours. The main difference with the Simply watercolour brushes is that they will hold less water and be stiffer. 

Next step
Step 3
Draw the outline

Draw the outline of your parakeet and start to paint the beak and then the feathers. Mainly use greens and yellow.

Tip: Apply water to the paper and it will mix the colours together on the paper directly!

Next step
Step 4
Paint the eye

With a fine detail brush and a little bit of black watercolour, paint the eye of your parakeet.

Tip: For very delicate details, add much less water: dip your brush in the water and wipe off excess water before applying paint. 

Next step
Step 5
Add to the feathers

Add some blue to the feathers.

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Step 6
Define the wings

Define the wings with dark green.

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Step 7
Paint the feet

With the fine detail brush and a little bit of brown, paint the feet of the parakeet. As well as the branch on which it stands.

Next step
Step 8
Highlight some outlines

For the finishing touches, you can highlight some outlines of the parakeet with a fine detail brush and a little bit of black.

Next step

Your step by step guide

What you’ll need

About the artist

Jennie Webber (Wickings) is an artist and freelance illustrator, specialising in animals and nature. Using inks, watercolour and printmaking, Jennie draws inspiration from the world’s more bizarre animals, colourful marine life and unique ecosystems.