Here's what you'll be covering over the course of the class. It's set up over the course of 30 days, but you can take as much time as you need.

Module 1: Bird Anatomy and Monochromatic Sketches

• bird structure and anatomy

• a simple method for drawing birds from life

• graphite thumbnail studies

• using walnut ink for monochromatic tonal studies

Module 2: Learning Bird Painting from the Old Masters

• the dry brush technique for watercolor and gouache

• an in-depth look into the history of bird painting in art

• a master copy using walnut ink and white gouache

• a detailed feather study using a full watercolor/gouache palette

Module 3: Mixed Media Technique for Watercolor and Dead Coloring Technique for Oil

• an introduction to color theory

• an overview of contemporary bird painting

• creating a painting using a ballpoint pen, acrylic ink and gouache mixed media technique

• beginning a painting using a traditional dead coloring underpainting method

• beginning a painting using 17th century Venetian oil painting technique, which will allow you to work loosely and spontaneously

Module 4: Painting with Water Media on Vellum and the Venetian Painting Method for Oil

• using glazing to create a luminous effect

• creating a finished, highly detailed painting using watercolor and gouache on vellum

• completing your dead coloring painting using a combination of glazing and layering opaquely for volume and detail

• finishing your Venetian method painting using glazing and scumbling