plate no. 1412

Kestrel

Jan Mankes, 1910

oilSymbolismanimal paintingbirdkestrelanimalportraitbackgroundbranch

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle tonal variations and layering techniques for creating depth and form. It's also a good exercise in simplifying complex subjects into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the kestrel and background elements, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Apply a thin, warm-toned underpainting to the entire canvas.
step 03
Begin blocking in the main color areas of the kestrel, starting with the mid-tones.
step 04
Gradually build up the darker and lighter values, focusing on creating a sense of form and volume.
step 05
Mix subtle variations of browns, oranges, and yellows to capture the kestrel's plumage.
step 06
Add details to the eyes and beak, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 07
Paint the background with soft, blended colors, creating a sense of depth.
step 08
Add the thin branch detail last.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the kestrel's plumage by mixing burnt sienna with raw umber and small amounts of yellow ochre and white. Use ivory black sparingly to create darker shadows.

techniques