435 19th century bird watercolors to download for free

February 04, 2023

Be inspired by these watercolors of North American birds as an introduction to naturalistic illustration.

If you have the opportunity to escape to the mountains or spend time in a park with your brushes, don’t miss it. This is the best way to get the most out of watercolor for painting botanical and naturalistic illustrations. If, however, what you really enjoy is painting birds, you will need a lot of patience, as they can spread their wings at any moment and leave you halfway through your composition.

In addition to observational work, you can use reference images to practice painting birds from other countries, or even other eras. Birds of America gives you that opportunity: a journey into the natural world of the 19th century. Printed between 1827 and 1838, this free resource contains 435 life-size watercolors of North American birds, all reproduced from hand-engraved plates. Its author, John James Audubon, the first American ornithologist, is considered the first illustrator of wildlife. 

America’s birds painted like never before

Audubon collected all his works in a book called Birds of America, of which only 100 copies are currently in circulation. One of them is among the 11 most expensive volumes ever sold at auction, reaching US$8 million in 2012.

“An important natural history document, it is also one of the most visually impressive works of art in the world,” says Roberta Olson, curator of the New York Historical Society’s Drawings Section. This institution holds the original watercolors by Audubon, whose prints were used to create the book.

It is thanks to this institution that these watercolors of birds and their environment are accessible to all. They’ve created a collection in their digital library that includes 435 bird paintings available for birdwatchers and creatives looking for inspiration. Each print is also available for free download in high resolution.

Audubon’s journey to illustrate birds

It took eleven years, from 1827 to 1838, for the naturalist to reach every corner of the United States and study birds that had been overlooked in early American ornithological works. Most had focused on East Coast species, but he wanted to explore the sky more.

His idea was to sell the prints by subscription, in increments of five. To make them appealing, he decided he needed to depict the birds in their actual size. Audubon uses the largest paper size available at the time, the Double Elephant, which measures 977 x 645 mm. For this reason, birds over a meter sometimes adopt strange poses.

The ornithologist was so involved in his mission that he came to identify 25 new species of birds during his research. Meeting the “citizens of the feathered tribe”, as Audubon liked to call them, is a feast for the senses.

The author, without formal scientific training, understood the importance of grasping in detail the physiognomy of birds. He represented each species in its habitat, in the exercise of its natural activities. Previously, illustrations were based on dead specimens.

Watercolors explained by their author

In addition to appreciating the artistic value of the digital files, you will be able to read the comments that Audubon noted illustrating each bird. When reading these texts, it is almost as if the artist himself presented them to you.

Thanks to his passion and meticulous work, we can appreciate and be inspired by what American wildlife looked like in the 19th century.

An article published in Christie’s magazine, the house that auctioned one of the copies of Birds of America, states that “the engravings are rigorously ornithological but strangely anthropomorphic. One has the impression of knowing these birds, of being old friends”.

After taking a look at this collection, you might think the same.

What is naturalistic illustration, and how do I draw it?

Art and the natural sciences have long been linked, thanks to naturalistic illustration. Since the 16th century, naturalists have participated in scientific expeditions or devoted themselves to the study of nature independently. Thanks to the surviving drawings of these discoveries, knowledge of the natural world remained secure, and the foundations of modern science could be laid.

If you like to observe and draw nature, in this article you will discover the characteristics of naturalistic illustration and its fundamental stages. You will also see how it differs from scientific illustration because, although the difference is subtle, they do not have the same purpose.

Essential Steps of Naturalistic Illustration

In order for you to explore naturalistic illustration, we have gathered the four essential stages of the creative process of this discipline:

1. Learn to observe like an illustrator. Careful observation is essential. This step allows you to capture the necessary elements that inspire you. Take your time and write down all the details.

2. Seek inspiration. It is not always possible to see these creatures in the flesh and in their natural habitat. Today we can rely on many resources such as documentaries, books and photographs on the Internet. If you have the opportunity to draw while immersed in nature, you can of course find inspiration there. Remember that you can use your imagination to create your version of animals and plants.

3. Spend time sketching. The sketch serves as a bridge between the observation of a three-dimensional object and its representation on a two-dimensional surface. Spending time on this step will help you get better results as well as decide on colors.

4. Add final touches to your illustration. To define certain elements, such as the plumage or the beak, you may need to use other techniques or materials. Explore all the possibilities until you are satisfied with your composition.

Sarah Stokes combines two of her passions in her art: painting and nature.If you want to explore all of Audubon’s drawings in high resolution, check out the Digital Archive of the National Audubon Society.

Although many years have passed since the days of the first naturalists, this illustration technique is still a great way to learn about our surroundings. In addition, it is also an opportunity to learn to draw and stimulate our creativity. If you want to learn more about naturalistic illustration from the hand of experts, check out one of the courses on the subject offered by Domestika.

How to fast improve your well being?Powerful Zen word Chinese Calligraphy Wall Art & Chinese painting Matte Canvas, Physical art, Canvas prints. Discover Art B Zen Store