Last winter, I became interested in painting again. Nature has always inspired me to draw and paint, and acrylics make it easier for me than watercolors ever did. So, I decided to watch a few videos and tackle the subject of birds. This is my very first painting with acrylics:

I used a magazine cover as my subject and sketched by eye. It was a very rewarding experience, and I learned a lot.

Cardinal Couple

A family member of mine requested that I paint a cardinal. I decided to paint a couple in the spring since it’s that time of year. It took me quite a while to find just the right picture. It really helps to have a reference since I am a beginner. I found the perfect picture online from shutterstock.com. I took my time sketching on the canvas in order to achieve the right proportion, which is the most trying for me. This is just a rough drawing that will be a very useful guide.

The canvas here is 8″ x 10″ and triple primed. The first canvas I used is of much cheaper quality than what I am using with the cardinals. Since the surface is primed, the paint will glide easier and coat more evenly.

There are a few more videos on YouTube I need to finish before starting this painting. David Jansen is a very talented artist who has shown me many great techniques. He emphasizes changing tones frequently in the birds so that they appear more natural. Jansen also points out that by painting the sky/light in one direction opposite of the main action really makes a wow factor. Because I first learned to paint with watercolors, his methods make a lot of sense to me. It’s best to work a small painting like this all in one sitting because of the blending involved. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough time or technique to finish it today. At least the first step is done and the ball can start rolling.