Northern Cardinal Painting Appraisal

Original Watercolor Painting of a Northern Cardinal

This item is an original watercolor painting on paper depicting a male Northern Cardinal perched on a flowering branch. The artwork is rendered in a soft, impressionistic style with vibrant red and orange pigments defining the bird's plumage, contrasting with the black mask around the eye and beak area. The branch features delicate pink cherry-blossom-like flowers with green foliage, utilizing a wet-on-wet technique to create soft edges. The piece is signed 'Kar-Thompson' and dated '22' (2022) in the lower right corner, just below the floral element. Physically, the painting is presented within a clean, white, single window mat board and remains protected inside a clear plastic sleeve. The paper appears to be a cold-press watercolor paper with a slight texture. The condition is excellent, showing no signs of fading, foxing, or environmental damage, likely due to its contemporary age and protective casing. The craftsmanship exhibits a confident handling of the watercolor medium, particularly in the layering of washes on the bird’s body and the expressive, rapid brushwork used for the botanical elements. The composition is centered, creating a balanced and traditional naturalistic illustration.