How to paint feathers in oil

On painting feathers: If your paintings of birds are too “tight,” consider these tips from Cheri Christensen on how to loosen up.

By Cheri Christensen

Wondering how to paint feathers?

Feel your paintings are too tight? Want to loosen up?

Then follow these quick tips for painting feathers for chickens and other birds:

1. Consider the passages of light and shadow versus each individual feather.

   Think: Big Shapes!

   Oil colours and paintbrushes I use to add feather details to a bird, and how I use my oil painting technique to make the bird look.

   You must get the main structure down first. You’ve got to paint the bird before the feathers!

2. To paint those big shapes, use big brushes and stand back from your painting while looking at your reference subject. Don’t get in too close to your artwork to paint details before the structure is complete.
3. Look for lost edges!

   Don’t make every edge sharp.

   How to paint feathers in oils, and how to paint birds.

4. Paint the directions of the feathers So start with the darkest yellow and paint these general directions in using short sharp strokes.
5. This video demonstrates one way to build up layers and paint feathers using Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Paint.
6. Oil colours and paintbrushes I use to add feather details to a bird, and how I use my oil painting technique to make the bird look.
7. Wildlife Art Lessons: Learn to Draw and Paint animals: Jason Morgan · Oil painting techniques for.

Soften the edges where needed and lose them where you can. Less is more. It is the suggestion of feathers that makes the painting interesting — not each individual feather.

Follow these tips and you will be painting beautiful birds!

Visit Cheri Christensen’s website at cherichristensen.com, and learn how