plate no. 5361

Wild Geese Over Reeds

Huang Yongyu, 1977

oilExpressionismanimal paintingbirdsreedsskywaterlandscape

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing expressive brushstrokes and capturing movement with simple shapes. Students will learn to create depth and texture using layering and varying brush pressure.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, indicating the placement of the geese and the reeds.
step 02
Apply a light wash of blue for the sky, allowing it to dry partially.
step 03
Add darker blues and grays to create depth and texture in the sky.
step 04
Paint the geese with yellow, using quick, confident brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the geese, such as the red beaks and wing definition.
step 06
Paint the reeds with a mix of brown, black, and yellow, using long, sweeping strokes.
step 07
Add highlights to the reeds with white or light yellow.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Burnt Umber

secondary · Titanium White · Cadmium Red Light

Mix Prussian Blue with a touch of Burnt Umber to create the darker shades of the sky. Use Yellow Ochre straight from the tube for the geese, and mix it with Burnt Umber and a touch of white for the reeds.

techniques

·Dry brushing
·Wet-on-dry layering
·Expressive brushstrokes
·Simplified shapes
·Color washing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Creating muddy colors
→Making the reeds too uniform
→Not capturing the movement of the geese

materials

surface · Watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paper 140lb
·Round brushes (various sizes)
·Prussian Blue watercolor
·Yellow Ochre watercolor
·Burnt Umber watercolor
·Titanium White gouache or watercolor
·Water container

optional

·Masking fluid
·Palette knife
·Spray bottle

Use a larger round brush for the initial washes and smaller brushes for details. Experiment with different brushstrokes to achieve the desired texture.

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