How to Sketch and Paint Birds in Gouache: A Step-by-Step Guide
Birds are fascinating creatures, and capturing their beauty on paper can be a rewarding experience. In my Learn to Paint Birds in Gouache course, we explore various bird species, painting them in vibrant, rich colours using gouache—a versatile, water-based medium that allows for incredible layering and detail. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting your creative journey, this course offers an exciting way to improve your sketching and painting skills.
The sketch template you see here is just one part of the course, where we focus on creating the structure of a bird before diving into the painting process. The subject of this guide is a charming bird perched on a branch. The beauty of birds as a subject lies in their wide range of forms, colours, and textures. Gouache, with its ability to build layers and blend seamlessly, is an ideal medium to bring out the fine details of feathers and the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
How to Draw Birds
Why Birds? Birds make for excellent subjects in art because they are not only visually striking but also symbolise so much—from freedom to grace. They come in such a wide variety of species, each with their own unique colours, shapes, and personalities. In this course, we take inspiration from nature to paint these birds in all their glory.
Gouache, with its high pigment load and opaque finish, is the perfect medium to capture the richness of bird plumage. We’ll learn how to apply it in layers to bring out a range of colours and textures, from the soft fluff of a bird’s chest to the sharp, sleek lines of its wings. The medium also allows for correction and adjustments, which can be a big help if you're nervous about making mistakes.
Step-by-Step Sketching: Building a Strong Foundation Every painting begins with a solid sketch, and birds are no exception. The key is to break down the bird's form into simple shapes. In this template, I’ve shown how to start with the basic outline of the bird and gradually add in details. Following these steps if you want to learn how to draw birds. They will help you get the proportions right before you move on to adding colour.
Step 1: Basic Shape Begin by sketching the rough shape of the bird’s body. At this stage, keep things simple. You don’t need to focus on details yet—just outline the general shape. You can think of it as a rounded teardrop for the body. Notice how the bird in this sketch is leaning forward slightly, adding a dynamic posture to the piece.
Step 2: Add the Branch Birds are often found perched on branches, which also provide an anchor for your composition. Draw a simple, slightly curved line to represent the branch. Place it where you think the bird will be resting. This will help you later when you position the feet and feathers around it.
Step 3: Defining the Head and Wings Now that you have the body, you can begin adding the head and wing shapes. The head can be a smaller, rounded oval, slightly overlapping the top of the body. The wings, meanwhile, should gently wrap around the back of the bird. The idea is to gradually refine these areas as you move forward, keeping in mind the proportions of the bird.
Step 4: Details and Features Once you have the main structure, it's time to focus on the finer details. Add the beak, the eyes, and the outlines of the feathers. Birds' faces have a lot of character, so spend time making sure the beak is in proportion to the head and positioned correctly. The eyes should be large enough to bring a sense of life and expression to your bird. Don’t forget to refine the feet gripping the branch!
Step 5: Refining and Shading In this final sketching step, you'll refine the lines, add texture to the feathers, and introduce some shading to give your bird a sense of depth. Notice how I’ve used hatching to indicate the direction of the feathers. This will become more important when we begin painting, as it shows the texture and directionality of the bird's plumage.
Moving to Colour: Vibrant Gouache Techniques Once your sketch is complete, we move on to the most exciting part—painting! In the course, we explore how to apply gouache in layers, starting from thin, transparent washes to more opaque layers that build texture and colour.
Start with a Base Layer For birds, I like to start with a light wash of colour over the entire bird. This helps to set the tone and ensures that the following layers blend together harmoniously. For example, if you’re painting a bluebird, a pale blue wash as a base gives you a beautiful undertone to work with.
Add Midtones and Shadows Once your base is dry, begin adding in the midtones and shadows. Birds have a variety of textures and colours in their feathers, and the trick to capturing this is layering. Start by adding a slightly darker version of your base colour to the areas where the bird would naturally cast shadows—like under the wings and belly.
Building Details with Layers This is where gouache shines. As you build up layers, you can add fine details like individual feathers, texture in the wings, or the subtle gradations of colour on the bird’s back. Because gouache is opaque, you can even paint light details over darker areas, which makes it easier to add highlights and create contrast.
Final Touches: Highlights and Texture In the last stages of your painting, use gouache in its thickest form to add highlights, such as the bright glint in the bird’s eye or the sheen on its beak. These small details bring the bird to life. You can also use a dry brush technique to give the feathers a soft, fluffy appearance, or add tiny specks of white to give the bird a sun-kissed glow.
Bringing It All Together Once you’ve completed both the sketching and painting stages, step back and admire your work! The combination of a carefully constructed sketch and layers of gouache will result in a stunning, vibrant bird portrait that feels both dynamic and full of life. Remember, every artist's process is different, and part of the joy in this course is discovering your own techniques as you grow more comfortable with the medium.
In the Learn to Paint Birds in Gouache course, we paint a variety of bird species. Whether it’s a colourful parrot or a serene robin, each bird offers unique challenges and opportunities to explore different techniques. Throughout the course, I guide you through the process of using gouache—teaching you how to blend, layer, and highlight to capture the essence of each bird. And, of course, you'll walk away with beautiful artwork to be proud of!
If you’ve never tried gouache before, don't worry—this course is designed for all skill levels, so whether you're a beginner or a seasoned painter, you’ll find plenty of value in the lessons. The beauty of painting birds is that no two are the same, and each one offers a new way to play with colour, texture, and form.
Join the Course Today! If you love the idea of capturing birds in all their beauty and colour, then this course is for you. You’ll not only learn the technical skills needed to paint with gouache but also gain a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of bird anatomy and behaviour. By the end of the course, you’ll have your very own collection of bird paintings, bursting with vibrant colour and full of personality.
So why wait? Sign up for the Learn to Paint Birds in Gouache course today, and let's bring these beautiful creatures to life on paper together!
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