This is an 11x14 acrylic painting on canvas of one of my favorite birds, a lilac breasted roller. It is native to Africa, and I first saw a real one when I was sixteen in Zambia. They are beautiful, but also really cute! I love the colors of the plumage.
Step 1: Sketch the subject in pencil over a blue background, and outline in black paint.
Step 2: Begin painting in the darkest darks.
Step 3: Continue to lay the base colors. I try to use a darker shade of the color I will use at the end, or one that is completely different which will make the top color "pop" (contrast).
Step 4: Using short brush strokes with a small brush, I give the plumage depth by laying in middle values and starting to paint in details, like the highlight of the eye and beak. Many of the colors I lighten by using white (such as the "lilac" color on the bird's breast), but white should not be overused or the painting will take on a washed-out or pastel look, which is not what I'm going for.
Step 5: Fill in the background. I can get pretty crazy at this point, trying to figure out what colors I want to use that will show off the subject best. Sometimes I regret covering up my original color, : ( but usually everything works out all right in the end! : )
Step 6: Here's where I get really excited that everything is coming together--I pull the highlights on the head with quick, light strokes, dab feathery brush strokes on the belly and start working on the feet, which were difficult to paint.
The final painting. I was satisfied with the bird, but the background seemed lacking. My husband suggested some more leaves, and I really think this adds a lot to the painting by creating the environment that the bird lives in. Rather than detracting from the central focus, the branches and leaves balance out the composition and draw the eye inward.
Thanks for taking the time to view my work in progress! If you are interested in purchasing this original painting, please visit sallybarone on etsy.com.
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