Easy Bird Painting: A Step-By-Step Guide

Painting birds can be a fun and relaxing activity, even for beginners. There are many ways to approach this, from impressionistic styles to more detailed, lifelike paintings. The key is to start simple and develop your skills progressively. For example, you can start by choosing a bird you like, creating a sketch, and then painting its head, wings, and body, keeping the saturation a little uneven to reflect light. You can also practice mark-making and paint mixing, creating a Bird-in-a-Ball to focus on colour and texture before moving on to the whole bird. Additionally, understanding the anatomical features of birds and how they are put together can help bring your paintings to life.

Choose your bird

Choosing which bird to paint is a very important step in the painting process. You can paint any bird you like, ranging from a small tropical bird to a majestic eagle. Consider the following factors when making your decision:

Bird Anatomy and Proportions

Understanding the anatomical features and proportions of the bird you choose will help you paint it accurately. Some birds have longer necks, larger wings, or more prominent beaks than others. Study the bird's posture and the way its feathers lie to capture its unique characteristics.

Colour Palette

Consider the colour palette you want to work with and choose a bird that aligns with it. For example, if you want to work with vibrant colours, you might choose a parrot or a peacock, known for their colourful plumage. On the other hand, if you prefer a more muted palette, you might opt for a dove or a sparrow, which have softer, more subtle colouring.

Feather Details

Different bird species have distinct feather patterns and textures. Some birds have intricate feather details, such as owls with their speckled feathers, while others have simpler patterns, like the sleek feathers of a swan. Choose a bird whose feather details interest you and fit your skill level.

Bird Behaviour and Personality

Birds have unique behaviours and personalities that can inspire your painting. For example, you might want to capture the graceful flight of a hawk, the playful curiosity of a chickadee, or the serene stillness of a heron waiting patiently by the water. Think about what aspect of the bird's personality you want to convey in your artwork.

Your Personal Connection

Lastly, consider your personal connection to the bird. Do you have a favourite bird that you've always admired? Is there a bird species that holds cultural or symbolic significance for you? Choosing a bird that resonates with you on a personal level can make the painting process more enjoyable and meaningful.

Remember, there is no right or wrong choice when selecting a bird to paint. Allow your interests and creativity to guide you, and don't be afraid to experiment and explore different options.

Sketch the bird

Sketching is a crucial step in the painting process, as it helps to guide your brushwork and ensures a sense of accuracy in your painting. When sketching a bird, you want to begin by deciding on the variety of bird you would like to paint. This could be a small tropical bird, a barn swallow, or any bird that you find interesting and fun to paint.

Once you have decided on the bird, you can start by sketching out the basic shapes of the bird's body, including the head, wings, and torso. Think about the feather groups and individual feathers that will bring your bird sketch to life. You can add detail by sketching the feathers with a noticeable spine, darkening the color on both sides, and keeping some of the feather edges light for a sheer effect. You can also add depth by shading under where one feather overlaps another.

If you need guidance on drawing a bird with realistic proportions, there are resources available, such as "Drawing Birds in Brush & Ink." Additionally, practicing mark-making and paint mixing can help you create a "Bird-in-a-Ball" sketch, allowing you to focus on color and texture before moving on to sketching the whole bird.

Remember, when sketching, you don't need to worry about perfection or extreme accuracy. You can use your imagination and capture the essence of the bird rather than meticulously drawing every feather. Keep your sketch light and loose, and don't be afraid to make mistakes, as they are all part of the creative process.

Paint the bird's head, wings and body

Painting the bird's head, wings, and body involves a few simple steps. Start by creating a sketch of the bird to guide your painting. This sketch should have realistic proportions, focusing on the bird's head, wings, and body. If you need guidance, you can refer to resources such as "Drawing Birds in Brush & Ink".

When painting the head, use a very pointed brush tip to wet the areas where the head feathers meet the body, creating little notch shapes. Saturate these notches with a deeper shade of the same hue as the surrounding feathers. Paint these notches unevenly in size and spacing to achieve a natural look. You can also darken the color on both sides of the feather spines to create a noticeable but subtle effect.

For the wings, add feathers by keeping the spine noticeable. Darken the color along the sides of the feather spines, as demonstrated with orange tail feathers. Leave some feather edges light for a sheer effect, and shade where one feather overlaps another.

If your bird has multiple colors, it is easier to paint one part at a time. Keep the saturation a little uneven to reflect light, making certain areas lighter. This technique will add depth and dimension to your painting.

Add feathers

Adding feathers to your bird painting is a fun way to bring your artwork to life. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you add feathers effectively:

Understand the Feather Structure:

Before you begin painting feathers, take a moment to observe their structure. Pick up a feather from the ground and examine it closely. Notice the bony center, also known as the spine, which holds the strands of the feather together. This structure is key to creating realistic-looking feathers in your painting.

Start with the Head Feathers:

Begin by using a very pointed brush tip to create little notch shapes where the head feathers meet the body of the bird. Saturate these notches with a deeper shade of the same hue as the surrounding area. Vary the size and spacing of these notches to make them look natural and organic.

Paint the Feather Spines:

When painting individual feathers, try to make the spine noticeable but not overwhelming. Darken the color on both sides of the spine to create depth and definition. For example, if you're painting orange tail feathers, start by painting the entire feather with an orange hue, then further darken along the sides of the feather spines to emphasize their structure.

Create Sheer and Overlapping Effects:

Keep some of the feather edges light to create a sheer, translucent effect. This can be achieved by using a lighter touch or diluting the paint with water. Additionally, shade the areas where one feather overlaps another to create a sense of depth and texture. This technique will make your feathers appear three-dimensional.

Practice and Experiment:

Feathers can be challenging to paint, so don't be afraid to practice and experiment. Observe real feathers, study reference images, and try different painting techniques to improve your feather-painting skills. Remember, even professional artists like Jane Kim emphasize the importance of making mistakes and learning from them.

By following these steps and practicing regularly, you'll be able to add beautiful, lifelike feathers to your bird paintings.

Complete your painting

Now that you've sketched the basic shapes of your bird, it's time to complete your painting with some final touches. Here are some detailed instructions to help you bring your bird to life:

Paint the feathers:

Use a very pointed brush tip to paint the feathers. Start by creating little notch shapes where the head feathers meet the body. Saturate these notches with a deeper shade of the same hue as the feathers. Vary the size and spacing of these notches to make them look natural. To make the feathers look more realistic, darken the color on both sides of the central spine, which holds the strands of the feather together. Keep some of the feather edges light for a sheer effect, and don't forget to shade under where one feather overlaps another.

Add final details:

Now, step back and observe your painting as a whole. Are there any areas that need more detail or refinement? Take your time to add any final touches that bring your bird to life. You can add details such as the eyes, beak, and legs, refining them with darker shades or adding highlights with lighter colors. Remember, you can always refer to reference images or photographs of birds to help you capture specific details accurately.

Work on the background:

Don't forget the background of your painting! A simple background can help your bird stand out. Consider adding a branch for your bird to perch on or painting a sky backdrop with varying shades of blue or grey. You can also add leaves and branches, using different shades of green and experimenting with mixing colors to create depth and variation.

Sign your artwork:

Once you're satisfied with your painting, don't forget to sign it! Adding your signature not only completes the artwork but also makes it uniquely yours. Choose a location that feels balanced—this could be in the corner or along the bottom of your artwork. You can use a smaller brush for a subtle signature or a larger brush to make a bolder statement.

Reflect and learn:

Completing a painting is an achievement, so take a moment to admire your work and reflect on the process. Painting a bird can be a rewarding and creative experience, and each artwork is a step forward in your artistic journey. Remember that every artist has their unique style, and your bird painting is a beautiful expression of your perspective and skills. Enjoy the process, embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, and let your confidence grow with each new painting!

Frequently asked questions