Plate 32: A Green-Winged Teal, a Juvenile Green Woodpecker, and Two Other Birds
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows four birds perched on branches by a small body of water. Two ducks stand on the ground near the shore, one with bright orange markings on its side. Above them, a bird with a green head and yellow body clings to a branch, while another small bird with a black-and-white pattern sits nearby. The background is simple, with just a few strokes of blue for the water and brown for the bark. The artist used gold paint to highlight the branches, giving them a warm glow. The colors are soft and precise, with careful attention to the birds’ feathers and the tree’s texture. Next, look up watercolor, glazing to see how artists build depth with layers of paint.
