Step-by-Step Guide: Drawing a Bird with Oil Pastels

Drawing birds with oil pastels can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, the unique texture and flexibility of oil pastels provide ample opportunities for experimentation and creativity. If you’re looking to try your hand at creating some beautiful avian masterpieces, then you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll be giving you some tips and tricks on how to draw a bird with oil pastels – from basic techniques to advanced composition ideas.

Before we dive into the specifics, it’s worth noting that drawing with oil pastels is all about being relaxed and letting your creativity flow. Unlike other forms of art that require a lot of precision and attention to detail, oil pastels are forgiving and allow room for happy accidents. Don’t worry if you make a mistake or things don’t turn out as planned – part of the fun is embracing the unexpected and trying new things. So, loosen up, grab your oil pastels, and let’s get started!

Materials required

Before we begin with the process of drawing a bird with oil pastels, let us get familiar with the materials required for the task.

1. Oil pastels – Get a set of different colors and shades of oil pastels as per your preference.

2. Sketchpad or paper sheets – A sketchpad or paper sheets with a thickness of 100 GSM is perfect for oil pastel drawings.

3. Pencil – A pencil will be necessary for creating an outline or rough sketch of the bird you want to draw.

4. Eraser – Keep an eraser on hand to remove unwanted lines and marks while you’re drawing.

5. Blending tools – You will require blending tools like tissue paper, cotton swabs, or blending stumps to blend colors together while drawing.

Steps to draw a bird with oil pastels

Here are the simple steps you can follow to create a beautiful bird painting using oil pastels.

Step 1: Decide the bird you want to paint

The first step is to decide which species of bird you want to paint. It is important to understand bird anatomy, behavior, and specific characteristics to make your bird drawing look realistic and natural.

Step 2: Make an outline

Use a pencil to create a rough sketch of the bird you want to paint. Be cautious while drawing the bird’s body shape, head shape, wings, and tail feathers. Ensure the bird’s proportions are accurate.

Step 3: Color the bird’s body

Start coloring the bird’s body with light colors. Begin by lightly layering colors and slowly add more layers to build up the depth of color. Use blending tools to mix and smudge the colors for a natural, gradual transition.

Step 4: Add darker shades

Once you have created the base of light shades, it’s time to add darker shades on top of it. Darken the areas where shadows fall and where the contrasting color appears.

Step 5: Draw the wings and tail feathers

It’s time to draw wings and tail feathers! Use darker shades to create the feathers’ outline. Blend the colors inside the wings and tail feathers. Don’t forget to create feather details for the most realistic look.

Step 6: Draw the eyes and beaks

The eyes and beak are the most potent and expressive part of a bird. Use bright colors to draw the beak and eyes, making them more noticeable yet realistic. Add small details inside the eyes to make them look more lifelike.

Step 7: Finalize the painting

Double-check that you have colored every part of your bird, use a white oil pastel to highlight or correct any areas of the drawing. Blend the outlines to make it not appear too harsh. Now step back and look at your beautiful bird painting.

Step 8: Sign your art

Last but not least, sign your artwork! Make it clearly readable and don’t forget to add the date, so years after, when you look back, you can know exactly when this art was created.

Step 9: Wait for the painting to dry

Oil pastel takes a bit longer to dry compared to other drawing mediums such as pencils. Make sure to leave your painting resting for several hours to avoid smudging the paint.

Step 10: Keep practicing

Art requires patience and practice to improve, never take it to heart when things may not seem right at first. Experiment using different techniques, new colors, and try different birds. With each drawing, you will learn and perfect your style. Keep Drawing!

These ten subheadings have given you a complete guide on how to draw a bird with oil pastels. It’s incredibly fun, and the result always ends up stunning. So purchase the materials, find a quiet place and let your creativity fly like a bird with oil pastels!

Section 2: Materials Needed for Drawing a Bird with Oil Pastels

Drawing with oil pastels requires a few key materials to get started. You will want to invest in quality materials to get the best results.

1. Oil pastels:Choose a set of oil pastels with a variety of colors that suit your preference and the type of bird you plan to draw. Avoid overblending colors so that you can maintain bright shades in your drawing.

2. Paper:You can use strong, heavy paper with a textured surface to create your drawing. The best options include sanded pastel paper, mixed media paper, and charcoal paper.

3. Pencil or Sketching Pen:It is recommended to sketch out the basic outline of the bird with a pencil or a sketching pen, which will easily erase after.

4. Painting Brush:Using a soft brush, gently blend areas of your drawing to create smooth transitions and details.

5. Fixative:A final coat of fixative, a spray that is applied to secure the pastel layer, is necessary to protect your drawing from smudging.

6. Tissue paper or cotton swab: To correct mistakes and unwanted smudging, tissue paper and cotton swabs are essential.

7. Reference Photos:If you want an accurate representation of the bird you will be drawing, reference photos are important. There are websites like Pixabay and Unsplash that offer high definition images of various birds.

8. Easel:Having an easel can make this activity more comfortable and efficient. It can reduce eye strain and provide a better view of the subject you are drawing.

9. Blending tool:A blending tool is necessary to help you achieve smooth gradients, soften edges and create texture.

10. Palette or Mixing Surface: A good palette or mixing surface will help you to blend colors and achieve the desired shades. You can use any flat surface or a palette pad to mix colors and create that perfect shade.

Choosing the Right Colors

One of the most exciting things about using oil pastels is the vast range of colors available to create any subject. Choosing the right colors can be a bit tricky, but there are a few things you can keep in mind to simplify the process.

1. Look at Reference Material

Before starting, take a look at some pictures or photographs of the bird you want to draw. Study the colors, patterns, and textures of its feathers. This will help you to choose the right colors for your oil pastel drawing.

2. Create a Color Palette

Based on the reference material, create a color palette of oil pastels you will use in your drawing. You may want to start with a few basic colors and add them gradually to create the right shading and layering.

3. Combine Colors

Experiment with combining different colors to create the perfect hues. Use light colors for areas that need highlights and darker colors for shadows and contrast.

4. Blend Colors

You can blend different colors of oil pastels together to create an interesting texture and a unique look for your bird drawing. Use your fingers to blend the colors together or use a blending tool like a paper stump.

5. Practice Makes Perfect

Choosing the right colors and blending them together takes some practice. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors and techniques until you achieve your desired result.

Creating a beautiful and realistic bird drawing with oil pastels requires patience, practice, and the right color choices. Keep these tips in mind as you select and blend your colors to get the perfect look for your bird drawing.

Happy Bird-Drawing!

I hope this article has inspired you to draw beautiful birds with oil pastels. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to try again and again until you get the hang of it. Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to come back for more tutorials and tips on various art techniques. Let your imagination soar and bring your bird drawings to life!