Drawing in Black & White

Exercise 17: FLOCK OF BIRDS

IN THIS EXERCISE, YOU WILL HAVE FUN WITH ABSTRACT WASHES TO CREATE A BIRD FAMILY. A CIRCULAR WASH—OR BLOB OF PAINT, IF YOU WILL—CAN BE THE BEGINNING OF AN IMAGINARY ANIMAL, PLANT, FLOWER, OR PATTERN. USING A GEL PEN OR MARKER, WE WILL ADD LEGS AND A BEAK TO OUR CIRCULAR WASH TO BRING THE BIRD TO LIFE.

MATERIALS

Newspaper or large craft paper

Palette

Black gouache or black watercolor

Inexpensive brush for mixing

White heavy cardstock or watercolor paper

Mop brush or flat brush

Black paint pen, marker, or gel pen

1. Cover your work space with newspaper or large craft paper.

2. On a palette, mix black gouache with water ...