Simply Paint Birds

Tom Shepherd started his art career by creating custom artwork on guitars using graffiti pens. Making a move towards a brush and more traditional mediums opened up a whole new world to him, and he hasn’t looked back since. Tom loves painting a wide variety of subjects, but is always drawn back to the place where his first two passions met; painting wildlife, in particular birds.  Tom's work has become widely collected across the world.  He has been a highly commended finalist in the world-renowned Wildlife Artist of the Year on several occasions. Where possible he likes to combine his artwork with conservation efforts close to his heart. As well as involvement with various group exhibitions geared towards raising funds for wildlife and conservation; he also contributes a portion of sales each year to UK based Organisations such as WWT (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust), raising many thousands of pounds for wildlife. Tom is also a highly regarded, and much sought-after tutor. As well as running his own workshops, he travels all over the UK teaching and demonstration for Art Groups & Societies.  He also leads painting holidays in beautiful rural France. Tom co-hosts the podcast Ask an Artist, and runs successful remote painting classes through his School of Watercolour (schoolofwatercolour.co.uk) Website: www.tomshepherdart.com Instagram: @tomshepherdartist

Introduction 6

Materials 8

Techniques and tips 12

Projects

Raven 24

Blackbird 28

Swan 32

Avocet 36

Rockhopper penguins 40

Red Cardinal 44

Flamingo 48

Scarlet Ibis 52

Toucan 56

Hummingbird 60

Lovebirds 64

Bateleur Eagle 68

Tawny Owl 72

Scarlet Macaw 76

Robin 80

Carmine Bee-eater 84

Kingfisher 88

Mandarin Duck 92

Hoopoe 96

Bluejay 100

Barn Owl 104

Turtle Dove 108

Bald Eagle 112

Blue-and-Gold Macaw 116

Resplendent Quetzal 120

Peacock 124