Artwork-Zebra Zensations Technical Pen and Daniel Smith watercolor on a Hahnemühle Cold Pressed Watercolor Postcard. Brushes: Princeton Neptune Round, size 8. Photo reference courtesy of skeeze on Pixabay.
Did you know that there are no blue birds -it’s all an illusion. Some birds are gray, but the way the light creates magic with the protein molecules in the feathers and voila! the human eye sees BLUE! This is called a structured color.
And by the way, it isn’t just flamingoes that get their color from the food they eat. Red, yellow, and orange feathers are created by carotenoids that the birds get from flowers, roots, seeds, and fruits.
Doodlewash prompt ‘Bluebird’.
Tools
And Where You Can Buy Them
Hahnemühle Cold Press Watercolor Postcards (review).
Zebra Zensations Technical pens (review)
QOR Watercolor Half Pan Set of 12 Ultimate Mixing Set
Princeton Neptune Travel Brush, Series 4750, Round, Size 8
he looks like our little birds here in Maine now – all puffed up and fluffy for winter ❤
I love it when the birds are all little round puffballs! So cute!
Darling little puffball, blue or not.
Many thanks, Sharon!
I had no idea. Protein molecules. I’m going to look for them in the Heath Food store! I could use some winter color! Perhaps more carrots…for my carotinoid tan! I LOVE that rotund little bluebird. I never see them around here…I don’t think they are native.
I do have a friend whose child went through a spell of eating nothing but carrots, and who ended up turning orange. Let’s hope this never becomes a beauty fashion, lol! I’m not positive but I think my bluebird is a Chinese Blue Flycather.
Thanks for our lesson on birds! Good to know. Your little guy is so pretty. Wonderful!
Many thanks, Lori! The world is definitely not what it seems!
I love your Bluebird! Ours are red, here in AZ, with a common name, House Wren. 😀
Thank you, Kathy! I wonder what the birds eat there to make them red.