Hummingbird: The Completed Painting

The completed hummingbird watercolor, alongside the earlier washes that brought it to life.

Completed hummingbird watercolor by Bryan Brouwer, with turquoise, violet, green, and gold plumage, perched on a branch — The completed hummingbird watercolor, October 19, 2026.

Hummingbird watercolor in progress with blue, turquoise, violet, and brown washes, a painted eye, and a long beak — A little further along, with more color and the eye and beak taking shape.

Early hummingbird watercolor washes and pencil outlines on paper taped to the studio table — The first washes, with much of the pencil drawing still visible.

The hummingbird is complete. Turquoise, violet, green, and warm gold gather around the bright eye, while the long beak and quiet perch give the loose washes a clear shape.

The earlier stages are included below the finished painting. They show how the first patches of color became this small bird, with softened edges and open space still part of the finished work.

—Bryan Brouwer