plate no. 2454
The Bird of Happiness
Alla Horska, 1970
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified forms, bold color application, and creating a sense of movement with brushstrokes. It also introduces the concept of symbolic representation in art.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the bird, hands, and overall composition lightly on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the background with a solid layer of blue paint.
- step 03
Paint the red areas around the bird, using visible brushstrokes to create a swirling effect.
- step 04
Add the orange lines and hand shapes, varying the thickness and direction of the strokes.
- step 05
Paint the white areas of the bird, including the decorative elements.
- step 06
Add the green and pink details to the bird's design.
- step 07
Refine the outlines and details of the bird and hands.
- step 08
Add small orange dots to the blue background to enhance the sense of movement.
color palette
primary · cobalt blue · cadmium red · titanium white · cadmium orange
secondary · sap green · rose pink
Mix orange by combining red and yellow. Create lighter shades of blue by adding white. Use green and pink sparingly as accent colors.
techniques
- ·flat color application
- ·visible brushstrokes
- ·simplified forms
- ·decorative patterns
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →over-blending colors
- →making the bird too realistic
- →losing the energy of the brushstrokes
- →uneven background coverage
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·cobalt blue acrylic paint
- ·cadmium red acrylic paint
- ·titanium white acrylic paint
- ·cadmium orange acrylic paint
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·#4 round brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·acrylic gloss medium
Use heavy body acrylics for better coverage and texture. A larger canvas (e.g., 18x24 inches) will provide more space for the swirling background.
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