paintings of birds: a captivating tribute to our feathery friends

Welcome to the enchanting realm of paintings of birds. As artists, we get inspiration from the vision, grace, and freedom of these beautiful creations.

Whatever level of artistic mastery you're at, from novice to expert, bird paintings provide an engaging study of color, texture, and the vitality of life.

Birds, with their array of vibrant colors and stunning patterns, are a fascinating subject for artists. This gallery of birds is a testament to their diversity.

Paintings of Birds in America: Atlantic Puffin an alkyd painting by Carol MayThe Puffin

There is such a variety of birds, from the soaring Condors to the tiny Bee Hummingbird. God outdid himself when he created "The Puffin"!

What an amazing bird with the outstanding colors and patterns on their head especially. It was such a joy painting this bird.

paintings of birds we see

Downy Woodpecker on a pine tree a watercolor painting by Carol May.Downy on a Pine

I like to walk in the mornings when everything is clean and crisp. One time I kept seeing a Downy Woodpecker on the pine trees when I walked by every morning.

Finally, I told my husband, I think it means I am supposed to add him to the paintings of birds. I'm going to paint him. I took some photos to figure out how to paint the pine bark and the Virginia Creeper that was turning red.

So, I did the "Downy on a Pine" with Virginia Creeper climbing up the tree. The red creeper leaves complimented the red on the Downy's head to make a beautiful nature painting.


Mourning Doves loving on each other.Free Love

Sometimes an artist will get stuck on one thing for a while. "Free Love" came after a dolphin and egret paintings that were done with pink, purple and turquoise.

The colors are softer in this painting to portray the soft nature of the mourning doves loving on each other.

A simple, beautiful painting of birds to portray a complex subject. Love is our gift to give.


A Bluebird Cleaning Up, art by Carol MayCleaning Up

One of God's beautiful creations are bluebirds. We have a bluebird nest in the front yard. They raise two sets of babies each year.

Bluebirds don't eat from the bird feeders because they prefer grubs. But they are regular visitors to the birdbath. We enjoy seeing them bring their youngsters to drink and bathe.

I took a photo and did this bird painting of a male bluebird while he was “Cleaning Up”.


Two lovely God gifts, a wren and blue Morning Glory flowers, an oil painting by artist Carol MayWren and Morning Glories

It's as much fun watching the birds, as growing the flowers. The little wrens are so perky and always fun to watch. My yard is full of flowers to attract and feed the butterflies and birds.

The blue Morning Glories made a lovely oil painting in the "Wren and Morning Glories".

Two of my most favorite flowers are a selection of roses outside in the garden and orchids that grow in the house.


An oil painting of a cardinal on dogwood by artist Carol May.Cardinal 'n' Dogwood

I went out and painted some of the wild Dogwood flowers while they were blooming.

After I came home, a male Cardinal made a good addition for the "Cardinal 'n' Dogwood" painting. Birds and flowers are always a good combination for a painting.

See how to paint an Oriole with Dogwood flowers.


Surf Catcher is a watercolor painting of a Florida Oyster Catcher.Surf Catcher

One of the best things to do in Florida is walk on the beach and watch the shore birds.

This Oyster Catcher is out looking for an oyster dinner. He was catching some surf on his way over the rocks.

It was fun painting the splashing, moving water in "Surf Catcher".

Watercolor is easy. You can start by painting a hummingbird.


A colorful rooster realistically painted in watercolor.Rooster

When Florida became my home, I only painted with oils. But, at my new home, watercolor paintings were the norm.

So, I started working on my watercolor skills. Watercolor can be painted in a realistic manner like the "Rooster" above.

Or we can let the watercolor do its amazing things. It was fun letting the paint flow in the bird painting below.


Visiting Heaven a watercolor painting by Carol MayVisiting Heaven

The dove represents the Holy Spirit in the Bible. Here's a watercolor on Aquabord of a lovely white dove "Visiting Heaven".

Today many Christians have been ascending and visiting heaven while they are still alive.

What does the scripture say about heaven?


Watercolor painting of a brown pelican by Carol MayPaddlin' Pelican

Pelicans are amazing birds. We got to feel one when we accidentally caught him while we were fishing.

They look large, but they actually don't weigh very much. They are very light weight. When we let him go, he paddled around, as if to say thank you.

The "Paddlin' Pelican" made a beautiful painting of birds.


Watercolor painting of a Florida Anhinga and Mangrove by Carol MayAnhinga with Mangrove

Florida was my second home for about thirty years. I really enjoyed all the bird life. The Anhinga is one of the native birds seen around the waterways and lakes.

Some people call them snake birds. When they are swimming, their body is submerged with their head and neck sticking out of the water. People think it resembles a snake. Not to me, they are just interesting birds.

One day I saw this one in a lake across the street from a shopping center. I snapped some photos and painted the "Anhinga with Mangrove" on watercolor paper.


Flamingos Feeding, an oil painting by Carol MayFlamingos Feeding

Flamingos have a unique shaped bill made for scooping through the mud to filter out the critters to eat.

This oil painting of the pink “Flamingos Feeding” was a challenge for me.

I painted the upright ones just fine. Then when I got to their reflections, it was confusing. I found myself painting the reflections the same direction as the upright birds.

So, the problem was solved by turning the canvas upside down. Then the painting went smoothly.


C-Backyard-RobinBackyard Robin

Paintings of birds would not be complete without a robin. The robin redbreast is an all-American bird seen in all of the continental 49 states.

Every morning and just before dark my backyard is filled with robins. Here's a simple oil painting of a "Backyard Robin".

you can do paintings of birds

The world of birds is incredibly diverse. It's a fascinating subject for both aspiring and seasoned artists.

Whether you want to get lost in the birds or ignite your artistic soul, stay with us. Further explore ArtbyCarolMay.com to unlock the artistic expressions in your life.

let the birds inspire your next painting!

You might like these

  • Identify 15 types of hummingbirds that visit the United States with photos, information and identification tips, Ruby throated Hummingbird, Black chinned, Annas

    Types of Hummingbirds in the United States

    Identify 15 types of hummingbirds that visit the United States with photos, information and identification tips, Ruby throated Hummingbird, Black chinned, Annas

  • We already know how to care for orchids, if we grow houseplants. Orchids are one of the modern houseplants that are easy to take care of with just 3-4 things.

    How to Care for Orchids

    We already know how to care for orchids, if we grow houseplants. Orchids are one of the modern houseplants that are easy to take care of with just 3-4 things.

  • We can learn how to paint a rose with step by step instructions. Follow the easy steps and practice painting a red rose and a multicolored rose with oil paints.

    How to Paint a Rose

    We can learn how to paint a rose with step by step instructions. Follow the easy steps and practice painting a red rose and a multicolored rose with oil paints.

  • Paintings of flowers are very challenging, but such a joy to paint! Enjoy flower paintings of roses, daisies and more, watercolor and oil paintings by Carol May.

    Paintings of Flowers

    Paintings of flowers are very challenging, but such a joy to paint! Enjoy flower paintings of roses, daisies and more, watercolor and oil paintings by Carol May.

  • Beautiful nature paintings, oh the joy of painting nature everything from butterflies to sea dragons, sunsets to seascapes. Enjoy nature with art by Carol May

    Beautiful Nature Paintings

    Beautiful nature paintings, oh the joy of painting nature everything from butterflies to sea dragons, sunsets to seascapes. Enjoy nature with art by Carol May

  • Doing hummingbird paintings of God’s beautiful jewels is such a joy! Hummingbirds pack so much color and personality. Their beauty shines in these paintings.

    Hummingbird Paintings

    Doing hummingbird paintings of God’s beautiful jewels is such a joy! Hummingbirds pack so much color and personality. Their beauty shines in these paintings.

  • The detailed guide on how to care for roses leads you step-by-step through the process, ensuring your rose bushes bloom brilliantly for many years to come.

    How to Care for Roses: From Planting to Pruning and Beyond

    The detailed guide on how to care for roses leads you step-by-step through the process, ensuring your rose bushes bloom brilliantly for many years to come.




Recent Articles

  1. You Can Paint Butterfly Art!

    Apr 21, 24 08:31 AM

    How to paint butterfly art.Unlock your creativity and start painting butterfly art. Discover the techniques of painting realistic butterflies. Link to 5 different pages on how to paint butterflies with tips and valuable insight…

    Read More

  2. Learning to Paint

    Mar 29, 24 12:00 PM

    How to learn painting Learning to paint is fun! Millions of people are painting and you can too! Use these five easy things to jump start your painting journey.

    Read More

  3. Easy Butterfly Painting: Watercolor Monarch Step-by-Step Tutorial

    Mar 25, 24 03:39 PM

    Easy-butterfly-painting
    Get creative with an easy butterfly painting tutorial. Discover the joy of drawing and painting a vibrant Monarch Butterfly with simple watercolor techniques.

    Read More

  4. Overcoming an Artist's Block

    Mar 15, 24 12:00 PM

    How to overcome an artists block How to survive an artist's block. All artists can have blocks or delays, but we get over it. What is an art block? How do we get started painting again?

    Read More

Recent Articles

  1. You Can Paint Butterfly Art!

    How to paint butterfly art.Unlock your creativity and start painting butterfly art. Discover the techniques of painting realistic butterflies. Link to 5 different pages on how to paint butterflies with tips and valuable insight…

    Read More

  2. Learning to Paint

    How to learn painting Learning to paint is fun! Millions of people are painting and you can too! Use these five easy things to jump start your painting journey.

    Read More

  3. Easy Butterfly Painting: Watercolor Monarch Step-by-Step Tutorial

    Easy-butterfly-painting
    Get creative with an easy butterfly painting tutorial. Discover the joy of drawing and painting a vibrant Monarch Butterfly with simple watercolor techniques.

    Read More

  4. Overcoming an Artist's Block

    How to overcome an artists block How to survive an artist's block. All artists can have blocks or delays, but we get over it. What is an art block? How do we get started painting again?

    Read More



Copyright ©
ArtbyCarolMay.com
All Rights Reserved

HOME  -  BLOG  -  CONTACT  -  SITEMAP  -  PRIVACY  -  AFFILIATE