Watercolor Cranes in a Marsh

One crane watches the water while the other stands tall among the reeds. Rust-colored feathers hang over their folded wings, and small red patches mark their heads. Much of the marsh is painted in loose blue strokes, with white paper showing between them. The birds are more sharply drawn than the distant bank.

Their long beaks and curved necks are good places to begin this watercolor puzzle. Reeds cross the water at several angles, so follow a stem through a few pieces before trying to place the whole clump. The reflections have softer edges than the birds above them. Those pale blue and white pieces will probably take the longest at a larger piece count.