Project Tag: junco

Foraging Juncos

Watercolor painting of Juncos foraging in autumn leaves by Janet Tarjan Erl

Foraging Juncos

Medium: Watercolor, Image Size: 18″h x 28″w, 1989.

I saw these two Dark-eyed Juncos as they foraged on the ground on a frosty winter day. The oak leaves that littered the forest floor were half frozen and half thawed. Where the sun shone on the leaves, it warmed them and melted the frost, so they were rich warm colors, but where the sun had not melted the frost, the leaves were frosty and blue. It made a rich combination of colors.

Coincidentally, the day before I finished this painting, I went hiking along the edge of this same woodland when I saw a pair of Juncos forging in a nearly identical woodland setting. This scene was from Yreka, California. This was a challenging painting to do in watercolor.

Original is sold.

Note: Image Watermark of Copyright and/or Website are NOT on the Original.

Junco in Autumn Colors

Watercolor painting of a Junco in autumn by Janet Tarjan Erl.

Junco In Autumn Colors

Medium: Watercolor, Image Size: 12″h x 16″w, 1988.

I painted this scene of a Dark-eyed Junco perched peacefully on a branch that was nearly barren of its leaves. I saw this Junco on a gray day in winter. The tattered leaves and twisted branches made an interesting setting for the bird.

Original is sold.

Note: Image Watermark of Copyright and/or Website are NOT on the Original.

Winter Junco

Watercolor painting of Junco in winter by Janet Tarjan Erl.

Winter Junco

Medium: Watercolor, Image Size: 6.5″h x 14″w, 2012.

This Dark-eyed Junco is perched on a gnarly branch in the cold of winter. I did a wet in wet wash for the background in dark smokey colors to give the moody quality of winter. I did the branches and Junco in gouache. It’s a moody, plain washy background complimented with lively branches, a perky bird, and strong contrasting light.

Original is sold.

Note: Image Watermark of Copyright and/or Website are NOT on the Original.

Early Bird Junco

Watercolor painting by Janet Tarjan Erl of a Junco.

Early Bird Junco

Medium: Watercolor, Image Size: 10″h x 12″w, 1989.

Juncos are one of my favorite songbirds, so I painted this portrait of one of the males puffed out on a cold winter morning. A last remaining leaf in the tree added a nice balance to the composition.

Original is sold.

Note: Image Watermark of Copyright and/or Website are NOT on the Original.