plate no. 8363

Birds Amidst a Willow

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)animal paintingbirdsbranchleavesfoliagenature

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and controlling the flow of paint to create soft edges and textures. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 4 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the birds, branch, and leaves.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted green and yellow to the background foliage, allowing the colors to blend and bleed.
step 03
Paint the branch with a diluted brown or gray, using a dry brush technique for texture.
step 04
Mix a dark gray or black for the birds, and apply in layers, leaving some areas lighter for highlights.
step 05
Add the white markings on the birds' heads and beaks with a small brush.
step 06
Use a fine brush to add details to the birds' eyes and feet.
step 07
Allow the painting to dry completely, and then add any final touches or corrections.

color palette

primary · black · white · green

secondary · yellow · gray · brown

Mix black with varying amounts of water to achieve different shades of gray. Mix green and yellow for the foliage, adding more water for lighter washes.

techniques