Flying Ibis - Two Paintings Without Drawing First! : Preview

Have you ever tried diving straight in with paint—no pencil lines, no safety net?

It can feel tricky, even a bit scary, but it’s also one of the most exciting ways to loosen up and really see shapes, colour, and brushwork differently.

In this tutorial, we’ll paint not one but two expressive Ibis paintings, each approached in a different way.

First, a loose and fuzzy background with dark shapes layered on top.
Second, painting the birds first and then building a splashy, loose background around them to trap the light and create an exciting full scene.

It’s a great combo of techniques right at the heart of watercolour painting—and, as always, the emphasis is on having fun with the medium rather than getting it perfect!

Give it a go… You might surprise yourself!