How to Paint Watercolor Tom Turkey for Beginners

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to watercolor paint Tom Turkey! Today in this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to watercolor paint this turkey even if you are the newest beginner.  This is one of those projects that looks complicated but is really fun and easy! You might also enjoy the Acorn Watercolor Tutorial found HERE.

Watercolor is such a great medium because it’s so versatile and dries quickly making it easy to do during nap time or whenever you can sneak some time for yourself. This is one of many tutorials/patterns I’ve made to help you feel more comfortable and confident with this awesome medium.

I designed this project with the busy mama/grandma in mind so I hope it will bring you lots of enjoyment and fun. In fact, it’s the perfect project to invite the kids to join you!

Paint Tom Turkey With Me

Notice I said paint and not draw? I’m taking the drawing part out of the equation. Let’s not get caught up on the drawing part yet (unless of course, you want to).  Just enjoy the watercolor painting process. You will learn so much as you just experiment without the pressure to draw the perfect picture. One skill at a time, I say. So with that out of the way, let’s get started!

Quick Note

Before we get started, I’d like to invite you to join us at Nature’s Art Club! It’s a club designed to get you and your family into art and nature through monthly watercolor projects, coloring pages, original poetry, fun facts and more. You can check it out here. or just click on the photo below.

Supply List

1. Print Out Your Pattern

If you are already a member of Nature’s Art Club, you can access the pattern in Nature’s Art Club.

If you aren’t ready to join the club yet and just want to do this project, you can get your pattern in our Watercolor Templates Shop. 

We also offer FREE patterns in our Lily and Thistle Resource Library (get your password below).

2. Trace Your Pattern

There are so many ways to trace your pattern.  You can use graphite paper, a window, an iPad or you can even purchase an inexpensive light board. I did a post all about tracing HERE.

Just remember not to push down too hard when tracing. You want your lines to be visible enough to guide you as you are painting but not so dark that they distract from your watercolor.

3. Paint Your Turkey!

Turkey’s are so cool!  Did you know adult turkeys have over 3,500 feathers but only wild turkeys use them to fly?  As I’ve observed nature on a regular basis, I’ve learned so many cool things.

Watercolor is so fun and forgiving and gives us a chance to stop, observe, and connect. Just play with the paint! Remember more water equals lighter, pastel-like colors, less water equals darker, more vibrant colors. Have fun and don’t overthink it. For this one, I made you a video.  Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions! I’m posting to my watercolor painting channel on YouTube so if you’d like to be notified of new videos, you can subscribe HERE.

4. Give to Someone You Love

Now go and give it to someone you love or display at your Thanksgiving table and enjoy what you’ve accomplished. 🙂  I hope this will be a fun little project and provide many happy memories. Please let me know if you have any questions. I am so happy to help.

And remember, your life is your art.

Your friend in Nature

-Hannah

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