January 2022. A new piece to add to my 8by8 Wildlife Collection, a Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata).

The Blue Jay is native to eastern North America. Despite the name, it is not related to the UK’s Eurasian Jay at all – but I think it is equally as noisy. If you have ever heard a Jay screeching in the forest, you will know what I mean!

Although the Blue Jay is not native to UK, and I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing one in its native country, it’s a bird I’m enjoying painting. It has stunning bright blue and turquoise wing and tail feathers to capture in the painting.

Painted in watercolour, size 8″ x 8″. Ref photo: Melissa Burovac on Unsplash.

Once the painting is finished I will post up a blog.