plate no. 9543

She gave the eagle her petticoat

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)illustrationtreefigureeaglefolkloreforestsky

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice creating depth with limited color and mastering subtle value shifts. Students can also learn how to suggest detail rather than rendering every element precisely.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the tree, the figure, and the eagle.
step 02
Establish the background wash with a diluted yellow ochre or similar light tone.
step 03
Begin blocking in the dark areas of the tree and eagle with a mix of burnt umber and black.
step 04
Gradually build up the darker tones in layers, allowing each layer to dry slightly before applying the next.
step 05
Use dry brushing to create texture on the tree bark and eagle feathers.
step 06
Add highlights to the figure and the petticoat using a light beige or white.
step 07
Refine the details of the eagle's face and the figure's form.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · black

secondary · titanium white · raw sienna

Achieve the dark tones by mixing burnt umber and black in varying proportions. Use yellow ochre diluted with water or medium for the background. Add white to burnt umber for highlights.

techniques

·dry brushing
·glazing
·value studies
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
→Making the dark areas too flat and lacking depth.
→Not diluting the background wash enough, resulting in a heavy or opaque look.
→Ignoring the subtle value shifts that create form and depth.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb or stretched canvas

required

·watercolor paper or canvas
·burnt umber paint
·yellow ochre paint
·black paint
·titanium white paint
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brush
·water or solvent

optional

·palette knife
·raw sienna paint
·medium (for oil paint)

Using toned paper or canvas can help establish the mid-tones and simplify the process. Experiment with different brushes to achieve the desired textures.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein