This is a free art lesson with a printable worksheet that can be used in class or at home.
The swimming swan a classic picture. It is a fun and easy project that any artist can make look good. When finished, the young artist will have a sense of accomplishment and confidence.
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| Printable Worksheet How To Paint A Swan |
I am glad to create these How-to worksheets for you, and you are welcome to print as many as you need.
CLICK HERE for a file in PDF format.
A WORD ABOUT PRINTING THE WORKSHEET
Trace the picture onto heavy watercolor paper; if it is too dark to trace through, try holding it against a window with the light shining through. If you use a copier, you can enlarge the swan and then trace a larger one.
WATER
Paint the water with a large brush, and with a lot of water in your color, paint the water using long back and forth strokes. Use dark blue and green on the top and light blue on the bottom. Add a little violet or lavender. Keep the paint wet and let the colors blend as you push them back and forth across the water. Remember to leave an area white for the reflection of the swan.
LET IT DRY
SWAN
After the water has dried, use a small brush and draw in the shadows on the swan. Make a mix using a very little black and a little blue together. Keep it pale since you are only drawing the shadows on a white bird. I keep a little tissue near so I can blot it up if it is too dark.
Add the details to the face and the black edge to the bill last.
THE SHADOW
The shadow in the water is not black but blue-black. Mix dark blue and black to do the shadow in the water. Keep some areas white and have the shadow mirror the shape of the swan.
After it has all dried, look at it and see if it needs some movement or interest in the water. You can use a thin liner brush and add some white to put ripples to the water. You can also use a liner brush and a blue that is several shades darker and draw some ripples in the water.
(c) Adron D. 11/10/16
A WORD ABOUT PRINTING THE WORKSHEET
If you have problems printing, "CLICK HERE" to see the how-to-print page for some suggestions, or try the updated link below that should print better.
PRINTABLE NOTES
TRACETrace the picture onto heavy watercolor paper; if it is too dark to trace through, try holding it against a window with the light shining through. If you use a copier, you can enlarge the swan and then trace a larger one.
WATER
Paint the water with a large brush, and with a lot of water in your color, paint the water using long back and forth strokes. Use dark blue and green on the top and light blue on the bottom. Add a little violet or lavender. Keep the paint wet and let the colors blend as you push them back and forth across the water. Remember to leave an area white for the reflection of the swan.
LET IT DRY
SWAN
After the water has dried, use a small brush and draw in the shadows on the swan. Make a mix using a very little black and a little blue together. Keep it pale since you are only drawing the shadows on a white bird. I keep a little tissue near so I can blot it up if it is too dark.
Add the details to the face and the black edge to the bill last.
THE SHADOW
The shadow in the water is not black but blue-black. Mix dark blue and black to do the shadow in the water. Keep some areas white and have the shadow mirror the shape of the swan.
After it has all dried, look at it and see if it needs some movement or interest in the water. You can use a thin liner brush and add some white to put ripples to the water. You can also use a liner brush and a blue that is several shades darker and draw some ripples in the water.
(c) Adron D. 11/10/16
