Washes

I did my first background washes, brushing the paint and water mixture inward, especially helpful for pieces that don't have colorful focus points. The crane was more an experiment, as the bird sort of disappears within the background.

Filling with a crane

This is the largest watercolor that I have done (9"x14") and it was not without much self-doubt. The top one is the work-in-progress. One thing I like is how the watermarks make the crane look like it's glistening.

This is the more finished piece, though perhaps you might want more detail in the feathers and bolder colors.