Photo: Downy Woodpecker, Michael Sterling/Audubon Photography Awards

When: Thursday, May 21, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Virtual
Members: $22
Non-members: $33

*This is a digital art class.

Continuing with our woodpeckerk serires, students will paint a Downy Woodpecker, a familiar backyard species that frequents feeders. This small woodpecker is tough to distiguish from the Hairy Woodpecker, until you learn their small but telling differences! Your instructor, Ronna Fujisawa will be your guide through the step-by-step process of painting. She is an avid bird watercolor artist residing in Portland, Oregon. Salty Water Art is her educational practice of classes on painting birds and other watercolor workshops.

This is an online class open to all levels of watercolor painters. Beginners are welcome!

Downy Woodpecker. Painting by Ronna Fujisawa

Course Materials:

In this class, students will master the art of painting intricate details and practicing loose brushstrokes. Ronna will guide you through the process of basic watercolor techniques, transforming this fun, animated bird into a vibrant masterpiece on your painting!

• Below is the photo we will be painting. Please print it out in color to have as reference in class or look at image on a tablet.

• Due to time constraints, we ask that you have the drawing done on watercolor paper in pencil or traced with graphite transfer paper. Ronna will be painting on 12x12” Arches 140lb cold press paper.

• The recommended colors are below. If you dont have all these, you can try with what you do have.

  • Colors: Paynes Gray, True Red, Sap Green, Cobalt Blue, Burnt Sienna, True Yellow, Cool Violet like Carbazole Purple 

• Please have some various round brushes #2, 6, 8, 10, size to fit the size of the feathers and smaller ones for detail, and a larger wash brush for the background like a 1” or 3/4” Oval Wash (cats Tongue).

Downy Woodpecker reference image.

Learn more about our subject:Woodpeckers are part of the order Piciformes, making them related to toucans, honeyguides, puffbirds, and jacamars. Built for climbing, drumming, and flying, woodpecker anatomy has some incredibly interesting features; including stiff tail feathers to help them brace against vertical surfaces. Watch our recent webinar on woodpeckers, where local bird guide Matt Felperin explores their anatomy and shares tips for identifying species you can expect to find here in Virginia!

NVBA Online Event Policies

This online course is available at a discounted rate for all NVBA members. Consider joining our flock!

All participants must register through Eventbrite to receive the Zoom link and attend this program. This event will be recorded and the recording will be shared with those who registered.