Speed painting in Photoshop. About two hours. I was at the zoo today with  lokenn, sketching owls and stuff with him and having a blast. I was thusly inspired to do this tonight!

Red used: http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/6371/northernspottedowl.jpg

I copy the reference image as a study. I don't use any tricks, though; no color picking or anything like that. The painting itself is done manually. The head is a little big in this one, unfortunately. :[

So many fun colors and textures!