Color Sketch for Painting of Shorebird "Laughing Gull"

During one of my kayak excursions last summer I came across these laughing gulls. There were many of them along a sand bar as I was paddling in a marsh on the outer shore of Cape Cod. I thought they were attractive shorebirds with their black heads and grey wings and I knew that they would make a great painting.

In the first stage of this painting  I did this color sketch. It can be in any medium, pencil, marker, watercolor whatever is handy at the time. The color sketch above is done with a black marker and then a watercolor wash. I may do this painting in oil or acrylic paint, I have not decided yet. But I do have a good start for this painting of birds after my quick color sketch. Check back for updates on this painting and my large oil of the Watch Hill Carousel that I am still working on.