How to paint blackbird using your fingers

A few weeks ago a friend of mine had surgery. I took a break from the Arctic to paint this for her as she learns to fly again. Let's go!

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STEPS
TOOLS

As usual, prime your canvas to allow the rest of the paint to blend.

As usual, prime your canvas to allow the rest of the paint to blend.

Add some liquid black to your liner brush and lay some branches across your canvas.

Add some liquid black to your liner brush and lay some branches across your canvas.

Spin your liner brush in the liquid black to bring it to a fine point.

Spin your liner brush in the liquid black to bring it to a fine point.

Thin, wispy, jagged strokes are the key to doing branches and twigs.

Thin, wispy, jagged strokes are the key to doing branches and twigs.

Add some midnight black to your pinky an start to block in your bird.

Add some midnight black to your pinky an start to block in your bird.

Finish the basic shape with fingers and thumb.

Finish the basic shape with fingers and thumb.

With your dirty four fingers, scrape from the body outwards to make feathers.

With your dirty four fingers, scrape from the body outwards to make feathers.

Same process on the other wing.

Same process on the other wing.

Add a second coat of black to the body to create some depth and shadow.

Add a second coat of black to the body to create some depth and shadow.

Darker feather lines. At this point, I stepped away and studied it. I decided I liked it as an unfinished piece. It speaks the "take these broken wings and learn to fly as is. Sign with your pinky.

Follow me for more creative projects and helpful tips. Follow my online gallery at Pinterest.com/justinballew

  • Canvas
  • Oil paints
  • Paper plates
  • Paper towels
  • Large chip brush
  • Liner brush
Pennsylvania
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