Painting with Wilson Bickford

A Canada Goose sits serenely on the water on a calm Fall day.

Silhouette scenes are very striking due their light and dark contrasts.

Old cars and trucks have a lot of character - and make great painting subjects!

Old cars and trucks have a lot of character - and make great painting subjects!

Waves crash against partially submerged rocks as the sun slowly sets, creating a spectacular sunset against the cold blue ocean water.

Wilson pursues a study of a giant sunflower, demonstrating the techniques and colors needed that make the petals and middle of the flower practically jump out of the canvas.

Against a sky full of fluffy clouds, an eagle soars high above a forest canopy.

Against a sky full of fluffy clouds, an eagle soars high above a forest canopy.

The sight of a butterfly is a sure sign that spring is here.

On Part 2, Wilson creates depth by adding the foreground daisies, and puts the finishing touches on the Sulphur butterfly.

A hammock stretched between two palm trees on a tropical beach is the perfect spot to relax.

A beautiful bluebird has landed on a weathered picket fence, welcoming spring with his song.

On Part 2, Wilson puts the finishing touches on the weathered fence and adds detail to the bluebird.

Dragonflies are symbolic and special to many people.

On Part 2, Wilson crafts the blades of grass and adds colorful details to the dragonfly.

It's a sunny summer day, the breeze is blowing, and we're hanging the wash out to dry.

A Whitetail fawn is ready to munch on leaves from a low-hanging branch.

On Part 2, Wilson enhances the details to the background, paints the finishing touches on the fawn, and inserts in the low-hanging branch and leaves.

Wilson uses cool blues and grays to walk down a moonlit beach, as the waves roll softly in and beach grasses sway with the light breeze.

Emperor penguins spend their entire lives on Antarctic ice and in its waters.

On Part 2, Wilson adds the finishing details to the background, and brings the two Emperor penguins to life, using color and shading to give the illusion of feathers.

A soft pink and blue sky lends warmth to snow-covered birch trees perched on the edge of a frozen pond.

A soft pink and blue sky lends warmth to snow-covered birch trees perched on the edge of a frozen pond.

An evening summer lightning storm has the occupants of a quaint lakeside village hunkered down safely in their well-lit homes.

Armed with just two painting knives and a few select oil paints, Wilson paints a rustic country barn sitting near a meadow full of summer flowers.

Armed with just two painting knives and a few select oil paints, Wilson paints a rustic country barn sitting near a meadow full of summer flowers.

Birds are one of Wilson's favorite subjects to paint.

It's fall, but the shipping season is still in full swing.

It's fall, but the shipping season is still in full swing.

Late at night on a warm, starry summer's eve, two horses, silhouetted against dramatic clouds, graze in a pasture.

It's June, and the meadow is full of flowers of nearly every color.

It's June, and the meadow is full of flowers of nearly every color.

Snow is on the birch tree, but spring is coming and our little chickadee can't wait!

Snow is on the birch tree, but spring is coming and our little chickadee can't wait!

Two horses graze in a misty morning meadow. Wilson demonstrates his "paint smart, not hard" technique for both beginning and experienced artists.

A vivid pink and purple sky adds drama to a sunset over a tranquil lake, as two fishermen try their luck.

A vivid pink and purple sky adds drama to a sunset over a tranquil lake, as two fishermen try their luck.

Christmas is coming, and there's "No Place Like Home For the Holidays!

Not all birds fly south for the winter!

Not all birds fly south for the winter!

Everything's coming up roses!

A rowboat sits on the shore of a country lake, waiting for the next fishing trip.

A rowboat sits on the shore of a country lake, waiting for the next fishing trip.

It's hard to beat the beautiful autumn colors of New England.

If you love the ocean, you'll love this project!

If you love the ocean, you'll love this project!

A bull elk has wandered down to the lake to get a drink on a cool, misty morning.

Snowshoeing, skiing, and ice-fishing are all about getting out and enjoying Mother Nature on a cold winter's day.

In days gone by, folks would have to venture out to the old well-pump to fetch a pail of water.

In days gone by, folks would have to venture out to the old well-pump to fetch a pail of water.

It gets blistering hot in the desert in the daytime, but the nights can be very cool.

It's getting late and the sun is setting on another beautiful day.

It's getting late and the sun is setting on another beautiful day.

Wilson is a country boy, born and bred!

It's a beautiful autumn day, so let's take a hike through the meadow down to the pond.

It's a beautiful autumn day, so let's take a hike through the meadow down to the pond.

Bring your fishing pole and we'll see if the fish are biting in our "Stony Stream.

Old barns are a favorite painting subject of Wilson's, and he shares his great techniques for achieving realistic results.

Old barns are a favorite painting subject of Wilson's, and he shares his great techniques for achieving realistic results.

They say big things can come in small packages. Wilson demonstrates how to paint a beautiful Tiger Swallowtail butterfly on a small canvas.