plate no. 3391

Birds on Branches

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)animal paintingbirdsbranchesflowerstreessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplified form representation and layering techniques to create depth. It also encourages experimentation with expressive brushwork and color washes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the branches and birds.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow and green to the background to create a soft, diffused light.
step 03
Paint the branches using dark brown or black ink, varying the thickness of the lines to create depth.
step 04
Add the birds using a solid block of dark color, paying attention to their shapes and postures.
step 05
Paint the flowers with white and light blue, using small, delicate brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the birds, such as eyes and beaks, using a fine brush.
step 07
Refine the background by adding subtle washes of color and texture.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · black · white · yellow

secondary · light blue · brown · green

Achieve the background by diluting yellow and green. Mix white with a touch of blue for the flowers. Use black ink straight from the tube or mix a very dark brown.

techniques