This lesson explores the versatility of acrylic ink through painting a variety of feathers from life. White paint is worked in opaque layers to render stripes and dots on dark feathers. Diluting acrylic ink with water, offers possibilities for creating delicate layers of value that mimic the airy textures of downy feathers. The session ends with a parrot feather using wet-into-wet blending to create beautiful gradients of color.

Class Format

1. 5 min – Introduction and review of materials
2. 5 min – Loosely sketch the composition in pencil. Use a ruler to measure the height of each feather. As we paint, we will work left to right
3. 15 min - Paint a black-and-white polkadot guinea fowl feather using opaque light-over-dark application
4. 15 min - Paint an ostrich feather using water dilution and controlled bleeding techniques
5. 20 min - Paint a large turkey feather to explore large, bold shapes and stripes
6. 30 min - Paint a ruffed grouse feather using light-over-dark application of various colors and textures
7. 20 min - Paint a small parrot feather to capture soft gradients and saturated color
8. 10 min - Q&A and review of key techniques