I have tried this project at home using different mediums and was never quite happy with it.  I finally decided to try it with liquid watercolor and oil pastels and knew this was going to be a winner.  Controlling liquid watercolor with all the details was a challenge, but the oil pastel really helped.

We started out with a directed drawing of the peacock in black crayon.  Students added details with oil pastels and then painted them.  I am always amazed by the personality and individual style that emerges.