Reed Bunting ~ "Songbirds & Friends" ~ Watercolor

This reed bunting watercolor painting captures a European marsh songbird with striking markings — a black head and throat that frames a white collar, giving the bird the look of someone dressed for a formal occasion in the middle of a wetland. Reed buntings perch at the tops of reeds and sing with a persistence that's endearing. They're small birds with big presence.

I painted this freehand on archival cotton rag paper with Kissho Gansai pigments from Kyoto. The bold black-and-white head pattern and warm brown streaked body were built through wet-on-wet mineral pigment washes — confident strokes for the head markings, softer washes for the body.

Reed buntings are members of the Old World bunting family — related to but distinct from North American sparrows. The male's striking black-and-white head pattern against a warm brown body creates a graphic quality that's unusual among marsh birds. Their song — a simple, persistent phrase repeated from the tops of reeds — is one of the defining sounds of European wetlands. One of the more unusual subjects in my Songbirds & Friends collection — not a backyard bird for most Americans, but a beautiful one. 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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