Cormorant II ~ "Shoreline Spirits" ~ Watercolor

This cormorant watercolor painting captures a bird most people walk past without a second look. Cormorants are the overlooked athletes of the waterbird world — they dive deeper and swim faster underwater than almost any other bird, and they dry their wings in that iconic spread-wing posture that looks like a dark angel sunbathing. "Cormorant II" catches one in character: angular, intense, unapologetically itself.

I painted this freehand on archival cotton rag paper with Kissho Gansai pigments from Kyoto. The cormorant's dark plumage is a study in near-blacks — deep greens, blue-blacks, and warm browns that emerge through wet-on-wet mineral pigment washes. The turquoise eye provides the painting's single point of vivid color. Cormorants are among the most ancient-looking birds alive — their angular silhouettes, dark plumage, and habit of spreading their wings to dry recall a more primitive era of bird evolution. They lack the waterproofing oils other waterbirds have, which is why they must dry their wings after every dive. That functional beauty — elegance born from necessity — is what drew me to paint them.

Part of my Shoreline Spirits collection, celebrating the overlooked and underappreciated birds of coast and marsh. One of a kind. Free shipping, complimentary insurance, and certificate of authenticity included. Framing options available.

Materials:  Each watercolor original is unique, the only one of its kind. Created on 300lb Arches Watercolor Paper with Japanese Sumi-é watercolor paint designed to last a lifetime.

Framing: Each piece is elegantly presented with light grey matting in a handmade wooden frame with a grey-washed finish. UV plexiglass and archival materials ensure long-lasting preservation. Crafted with care, our frames are 1.5" deep and handcrafted from solid wood by our trusted local framer.

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Cost: Shipping is FREE for all original works up to approx. 30x40". For large artwork, we cover the first $500 in shipping costs; please email us your zip code for a quote.

Packaging: All originals are shipped flat (not rolled). For work larger than 30x40", though our boxes are plastic-reinforced, you have a choice of wood crating to ensure safe transport for an additional fee.

Schedule: Unframed work ships within 1-2 weeks, while framed pieces require 2-3 weeks for delivery. Crated and oversized works may take 4-6 weeks. If your order is time-sensitive, please leave us a note during checkout and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

International: For international shipping, please contact us directly before ordering. Provide the items you are interested in and your shipping address so we can estimate the cost and any constraints.

Insurance: We provide complimentary shipping insurance for all orders. In the event that your item arrives damaged, please document it with pictures and notify us immediately so we can initiate a claim on your behalf.