Following the photo above, brush in the water with Sky Blue.  Brush the grass areas with Dark Hauser Green.

Cross Hatching Water:

● Using Titanium White, Sky Blue and Williamsburg Blue, cross hatch water to create movement and shadows. Use a small chip brush initially, then switch to a flat shader.   (crosshatching: using the letter “x” to blend two or more colors together). 

● Shade under each of the grassy areas with Wedgwood Blue and Dark Hauser Green to create shadows. 

Creating Grasses:

● Using the small flat shading brush, began layering  Light Hauser Green in the higher areas of each pod of grass. 

● Shade with Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber along the bottom of each pod. 

● Accent areas near the water here and there with Camel to create sandy areas. 

● Using the small flat brush, and small liner brush create wispy blades of grasses, some short, some longer and moving in the wind. 

● Accent the brightest areas with Citron Green, this would be where the sun would be bouncing around on the grass. 

Stenciling:

● Position the Heron using the photo as a guide.

● Body:    Brush with Titanium White, shade with Dove Gray around the wings, in the shadows of the neck, below the face, and along the bottom.

● Legs:  Brush legs with Dove Gray, shadow softly with Black and highlight with White.

● Beak:  Brush with Antique Gold, shade lightly with Burnt Sienna and the deepest areas with Burnt Umber.  Create Highlights with Camel.

● Eyes:  Brush eyes with Antique Gold, shade with Burnt Umber and Highlight with White.

● Crown;  Brush with Dove Gray and shade with Black. 

Embellishing the stencil:

● Using the flat shader, add shading and highlights where needed.  Use the liner brushes to add wispy, fluffy feathers using Dove Gray and White.

Cattails:

● When your work is finished, allow it to dry, then use your favorite sealer to lock in the colors.  Our choice sealer is Krylon 1311 Matte Spray.