plate no. 7872

Owls

mixed mediaExpressionismanimal paintingowlsbirdsanimalsabstracttexture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes, creating texture with dry brush techniques, and simplifying forms to capture the essence of the subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and positions of the three owls.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue/gray across the entire background.
step 03
Add darker blues and blacks around the edges to create depth and atmosphere.
step 04
Paint the owls' bodies with light washes of white, leaving some areas unpainted for texture.
step 05
Add small touches of red, brown, and yellow to the owls' bodies to create variation and interest.
step 06
Use a dry brush technique with black or dark gray to add texture and detail to the owls and background.
step 07
Define the eyes and beaks with small, precise strokes.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · cadmium red

Mix blues and blacks to achieve various shades of gray for the background. Use white to lighten colors for the owls' bodies. Mix small amounts of red, brown, and yellow to create subtle variations in color.

techniques