plate no. 3437

Plate 156 American Crow

oilNaturalismillustrationcrowbirdleavesbrancheswalnutsnest

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in botanical illustration, particularly rendering leaves and fruit, and in capturing the form and texture of a bird using subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the bird, branches, leaves, and walnuts.
step 02
Block in the basic shapes of the bird with a dark, neutral tone, paying attention to the overall form and proportions.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker values of the bird, creating depth and dimension. Use thin glazes to build up the color gradually.
step 04
Paint the branches and twigs, using a mix of browns and grays. Vary the thickness and direction of the lines to create a natural look.
step 05
Start painting the leaves, using a range of greens and yellows. Pay attention to the shapes and angles of the leaves, and vary the colors to create depth and interest.
step 06
Add the walnuts, using a mix of browns, greens, and yellows. Pay attention to the highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
step 07
Paint the nest, using a mix of browns, grays, and whites. Add small details to create a realistic texture.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the bird, leaves, and walnuts. Refine the edges and add any necessary shadows.

color palette

primary · black · green · brown · yellow

secondary · gray · white · blue

Mix blacks with blues and browns to avoid a flat, lifeless black. Greens can be mixed from blues and yellows, and browns from a combination of primary colors.

techniques