An Owl by Huang Yongyu

plate no. 3431

An Owl

Huang Yongyu, 1978

oilExpressionismanimal paintingowlbirdbranchanimalfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop brush control and understand how to create form with loose, expressive strokes. It also provides practice in using a limited palette to achieve a range of values and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

2

brushwork visibility

4

value contrast

4

compositional simplicity

4

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shape of the owl and the branch.
step 02
Apply a diluted wash of gray to the owl's body to establish the mid-tones.
step 03
Use darker gray and black to define the edges of the owl's feathers and create shadows.
step 04
Add yellow to the eyes and chest, blending it with the gray wash.
step 05
Paint the branch with a diluted orange or brown.
step 06
Add details to the owl's face and claws using a fine brush.
step 07
Create texture by using dry brush strokes to suggest feathers.
step 08
Add the calligraphy and seal.

color palette

primary · black · gray · yellow · white

secondary · orange · brown

Mix black and white to create various shades of gray. Dilute colors with water to achieve transparent washes.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·wash technique
·calligraphic brushstrokes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
→Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
→Not diluting the paint enough for the initial washes.
→Making the owl too symmetrical.

materials

surface · Rice paper

required

·Chinese painting brushes (various sizes)
·Chinese ink
·Chinese watercolor paints
·Rice paper
·Water container
·Palette
·Felt mat

optional

·Palette knife
·Brush rest
·Seal paste

Use absorbent rice paper designed for Chinese painting. Experiment with different brush sizes and types to achieve various effects.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →

chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Dolly Sisters

Dolly Sisters

Kees van Dongen

Nude with Loaves

Nude with Loaves

Jean Helion

My Father

My Father

Carlos Botelho

Helen

Helen

Chronis Botsoglou

The portrait painter in the country

The portrait painter in the country

Albin Egger-Lienz

Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague

Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague

Maria Bozoky

Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city

Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city

Paul Werner

Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)

Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)

James Ensor