Blue Grosbeak ~ "Songbirds & Friends" ~ Watercolor

This blue grosbeak watercolor art captures a bird that's all about deep, saturated color. The male blue grosbeak isn't the bright electric blue of an indigo bunting — it's darker, richer, like someone soaked the bird in ink and it came out beautiful. That deep cobalt against russet wing bars creates a color combination you won't find in any other North American songbird.

I painted this freehand on archival cotton rag paper with Kissho Gansai pigments from Kyoto. The deep blue plumage was built through layered wet-on-wet mineral pigment washes — each pass darkening and deepening the color until it glowed from within the paper. The russet wing bars provided the warm accent that keeps the painting from feeling cold. Blue grosbeaks are uncommon enough that finding one feels like a small event — they breed in scrubby, brushy habitats across the southern United States but never in large numbers. The male's deep cobalt plumage darkens as it saturates through the breeding season, becoming almost navy in certain lights. The russet wing bars provide the warm counterpoint that keeps the painting from feeling monochrome.

A rich, jewel-toned original at an accessible price. Part of my Songbirds & Friends collection. One of a kind. Free shipping, complimentary insurance, and certificate of authenticity included.

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.

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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.