Monday, September 26, 2016

Bird Art Lessons For The Novice Painter

By Kenneth Martin


Using birds, and wildlife in general, as reference is great for improving painting skills. This does not only train the eye for observation but also helps teach how to give life to a piece of non moving art. Among very many different subjects, birds are useful since they are not that difficult but are challenging enough for beginners.

There are over 10,500 species of birds and this makes picking one type to paint difficult. One basic knowledge in beginners bird art lessons are to consider the different cultural and poetic meaning of a bird before choosing it as a subject. This allows the painter to tell a good story or find some metaphorical depth in the piece.

It is advised to choose a reference photo and then choose a medium. For a more detailed and impressionistic vibe, go for acrylic or oil. For a more fluid and soft effect, go for ink or watercolor.

Proceed with a study. It is best to study the subject in different angles and gestures before settling for one particular pose. The basic anatomy of a bird comprises the head, the tail, the wings and its feathers. Thanks to evolution, these parts come in different forms depending on species but they are always present in any type.

Choose at least two base colors to block the different areas of the bird. These colors are the basis from which you can show details with the shadow and the lighting later on. This requires a good understanding of basic color theory, shadows and light. Note, that it is preferable not to use an absolute white or absolute black to avoid distracting the viewers from seeing the image as a whole.

There is no limit or necessary number of brushes needed to finish a painting. It all depends on the artist and the medium that is being used. The types of brushes an artist uses also rests on the brush strokes used to create the preferred effect.

Details are put in after setting the base colors and general form of the piece. This ensures that the foreground pops out from the background. Adding details also lie on the brush strokes used and preferred by the artist. A more fluid medium like watercolor uses the natural movement of water to create an illusion of detail. With less fluid medium, details are made with carefully drawn strokes.

Painting birds will be a great challenge. Mistakes are always welcomed when making a piece of art. These 'happy' mistakes tend to become the trademark of some of the best artworks. What the lesson is opt to do is to improve skill, composition and observation.

Painting requires little technicality but more on enjoying the process of observing nature. Go out, go bird watching or even just gather as many references until the perfect picture pops in your head it will be a lot of fun. Birds are free and the painter must be as such while studying this particular subject, whether a beginner or an expert.




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