An affinity with acrylics

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

■ Experience painting a white subject

■ Learn to paint a high level of detail

In this part of our series, we move on to a more demanding painting: a detailed wildlife portrait (see photo, left). We’ll need to be accurate with the underlying drawing and precise with our brushstrokes to create a high level of realism.

I’ve chosen a snowy owl, to give you experience of painting a white subject with plenty of detail. Even when using photographic reference, I also make sketches to learn more about my subject’s appearance and character (right).

If you are taking a photograph of a largely white subject, aim to do so on an overcast day or when the subject is in shadow. Unless you are an expert photographer, the white is likely to be burnt out in bright sunlight, with the details lost.