Snowy Egret IV ~ "Oh, to Fly" ~ Watercolor

This snowy egret watercolor painting captures the most graceful of all white wading birds. Snowy egrets move like dancers — quick, precise, unexpectedly nimble for their size. They shuffle their bright yellow feet in shallow water to stir up fish, and they strike with a speed that makes herons look slow. "Snowy Egret IV" is the fourth in a series of studies I've made of these birds, and each one teaches me something new about painting white.

A white bird on white paper is one of the hardest things to paint in watercolor. The bird has to exist without relying on contrast from the background. I used Kissho Gansai pigments from Kyoto on archival cotton rag paper, building the egret's form entirely through shadow tones — cool blue-grays under the wings, warm creams on the breast, hints of reflected color from the water below. Every "white" feather is actually a dozen different colors. Wet-on-wet washes let those tones blend naturally.

This piece fits within my Oh, to Fly! collection alongside the herons, spoonbills, and cranes. The snowy egret is the most elegant of the group — smaller, quicker, lighter on its feet. Snowy egrets were hunted almost to extinction in the late 1800s for their delicate breeding plumes, which were worth more per ounce than gold. Their recovery is one of conservation's great success stories. Today these agile white herons grace shallow waters throughout the Americas, and their yellow feet — which they shuffle to startle prey — remain one of birding's most distinctive field marks.

One of a kind. Brings airy sophistication to bathrooms, bedrooms, and light-filled spaces. Framing options available. 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.

Additional questions? Please see the FAQ

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.