plate no. 3289

Migrating Starlings

Maria Bozoky, 1981

penExpressionismlandscapetreesskywaterlandscapebirds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes and creating expressive line work with pen and watercolor. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing and capturing atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition with a pencil, focusing on the horizon line and placement of major elements.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted pink and blue to the sky area, allowing colors to blend naturally.
step 03
Add a wash of diluted blue-gray to the water area, creating a sense of depth.
step 04
Paint the basic shapes of the trees and bushes with diluted greens and blues.
step 05
Use a fine-tipped pen to add details to the trees, bushes, and foreground, creating texture and definition.
step 06
Add details like the birds in the sky with the pen.
step 07
Layer additional washes of color to deepen shadows and add complexity to the composition.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a cohesive and expressive landscape.

color palette

primary · pink · blue · green

secondary · gray · red · purple

Mix pinks by diluting red with water. Achieve grays by mixing complementary colors like blue and orange. Vary the intensity of colors by adjusting the water-to-paint ratio.

techniques