plate no. 0110

A Pelican and Other Birds Near a Pool (The Floating Feather)

oilBaroqueanimal paintingbirdspelicanwaterfoliageskylandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures of feathers and water, as well as understanding complex compositions with multiple subjects. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations to create realistic lighting and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and positions of the birds and the background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darks and lights of the background foliage and sky.
step 03
Start painting the largest bird, the pelican, focusing on capturing its form and texture with layers of paint.
step 04
Move on to the other birds, paying attention to their unique shapes, colors, and details.
step 05
Develop the water and its reflections, using thin washes and subtle color variations.
step 06
Add details to the foliage and background elements, creating depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting to enhance the sense of realism.
step 08
Add final details such as feathers and reflections to complete the artwork.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · sap green

Achieve the subtle feather tones by mixing white with small amounts of yellow ochre, burnt umber, and ivory black. Create the water reflections by diluting the colors used for the birds and background with a glazing medium.

techniques