Bird Painting Workshop Series: How to paint a superb fairy wren from start to finish
Join me to learn to paint the Superb Fairy wren, voted bird of the year.
The male superb fairy wren is iconic for its stunning blue plumage and beloved by so many people. No wonder the superb fairy wren was voted the Australian bird of the year.
If you have ever wanted to paint your very own fairy wren masterpiece, this is the workshop series for you! By the end of this series of three workshops you will have produced a polished fairy wren painting on canvas in a wooden floating frame. This would be the perfect Christmas gift for the fairy wren lover in your life or a simply stunning addition to your own art collection.
This painting class will be taught over three Sunday afternoon workshops. In each one I will take you through step by step how I create my bird paintings. I will teach you all the acrylic painting techniques you need to take your masterpiece from start to finish.
Dates: 14th, 21st and 28th of November 2021
Price: $300, $250 Early Bird
Time: 1:00pm - 4:30pm
Location: Vault 134, 134 Hutt St, Adelaide
Bookings: BOOK NOW
Who is this workshop series for?
All skill levels are welcome. From people who have just picked up their first paint brush to painters wanting to learn more acrylic wildlife painting skills. I will take you through step by step and provide you with an instruction booklet
Bird lovers, art lovers and anyone who wants to learn the techniques I use for my wildlife portraits should join us for 3 weeks of creative painting fun.
What will be covered:
Session 1: Background, Composition and Underpainting
How to create a blurred foliage background using acrylic paint (otherwise known as a bokeh background)
How to create an aesthetically pleasing composition from a reference photo
How and why to paint an underpainting
Session 2: Eye and Beak Details and Colour Mixing
How to paint a life like bird eye
Using primary and secondary reflections to bring your eye paintings to life
How to paint a fairy wren beak
How to mix colours to create realistic paintings
Session 3: Detailed Feathers by Layering Acrylic Paint
How to layer acrylic paint to create depth and texture
How to glaze using acrylic paint
How to paint a detailed highlighting layer using acrylic paint
Finishing touches
How and why to varnish your paintings
What will be supplied:
Instruction booklet
Reference photo
Canvas and floating frame set 20.3cm (H) x 25.4cm (W) x 3.83cm (D) with 5.9cm Wood Frame (D)
Shared brushes
Paint supplies
Water jars and palettes
Snacks and drinks
What to bring:
I will supply everything you need to complete your fairy wren painting.
There is no pressure to bring any supplies, although if you would like to you are welcome to bring:
A reference photo if you have one you have taken yourself or have permission to use. I will supply one for the group but if you want to use a particular photo please bring a printout that will fit within the size of the canvas. Also make sure your photo is sharp and shows all the eye, beak and feather details.
A stay-wet painting palette. I will be providing tiles that you can use as your palette. However I use a Masterson sta-wet palette and find it helps a lot to keep my acrylic paints from drying out.
Your preferred paint brushes. I will supply shared paint brushes. However every artist has their own favourites and you are welcome to bring yours. The types of brushes we will use are:
Large flat brush (I use Princeton Dakota Bright 6300B size 12)
Medium flat brush (I use Princeton Dakota Bright 6300B size 2)
Small round brush (I use Neef 95 Round stiff synthetic size 0)
Stiff blending brush (I use a cheap plastic round brush)
Mop brush (I use a blush blending brush)
Fine liner brush (I use Princeton Catalyst polytip bristle liner size 4
What you will leave with:
A beautiful detailed acrylic fairy wren portrait painting on canvas framed in a wooden floating frame. You will also be able to take home the instruction booklet so that you can refer back to what you learned in the workshop for future creations.
Location information:
Vault 134 is located at 134 Hutt St. It is a warm and welcoming co-working space with plenty of room for social distancing.
Wheelchair accessible
Parking onsite