Bird Art Lessons For The Novice Painter

By Kenneth Martin


Painting wildlife has always been one fundamental exercise for the beginner painter. A really common yet interesting subject has always been birds, given that the oldest avian art piece dated way back in imperial China. Painting a bird does not require expertise. It all boils down to the basic tips and tricks.

There many decisions that need to be made when choosing what type of bird to paint. Consider the message the piece is trying to convey. Great artwork is rich with metaphorical, cultural and religious meanings which makes bird art lessons ideal for a novice artist. There should be little difficulty choosing which type captures the sentiments of the artist.

The medium of choice contributes to the overall impression it gives viewers. Acrylic, oil, watercolor and ink are the most commonly used medium for nature paintings. These types of painting medium make it easier to portray the fluid nature of birds.

Sketching can help with studies and improve the learning of anatomy, gesture and perspective regardless of subject. While learning how to draw is usually fundamental for any artist, there are times when is not necessary. The goal is just to make the art regardless of a sketch. It also helps in understanding the basic dynamics of lighting. Still leaning this is highly recommended.

Knowledge on the basics of colors, shadow and light is a must for any painter. It is always handy to have a sample image when referencing wildlife. Choosing colors at this point should be taken from the reference. The trick is in blending the colors and making sure that the shadows and the highlights emphasize the right parts of the subject.

The type of brush used depends on what medium is used to create it. In general, a variety of flat brushes and round brushes are used to show a range of smoothness and roughness. A fan brush does a great job in portraying an illusion of detail for feathers. The thin pointed round brushes are for the more intricate details like the eyes and outlines.

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.

Lastly, for the piece to look natural, it is important to allow some leg room for mistakes. These happy accidents are what helps any piece of art steer away from monotony. The random asymmetry suggests the free flowing yet organized nature of birds and the life that they portray.

Whether it be birds or flowers, wildlife pieces always makes a good study. Remember, technicalities are only guidelines to make the art. Enjoying the whole creative process of working with a reference is more important and is one of the best experiences a beginner can have.




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