Below are photo clips from a YouTube video demonstration showing how to paint a cardinal in oil paint from start to finish. Click here to see the video.

Excerpts from Video Demonstration How to Paint a Cardinal in Oil Paint

On an 8x10 smooth grade oil-primed linen panel, apply with a #6 flat bristle brush a mixture of Transparent Red Oxide, Ultramarine Blue and Alizarin Permanent thinned with Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits. The mixture should be fairly thin so as to spread easily, but not too transparent. As you move from the top to the bottom, add more Ultramarine Blue and Alizarin Permanent to the mixture to cool and darken the color.

See the Resources Page for list of supplies.

Make a warm black by mixing Transparent Red Oxide, Ultramarine Blue and Alizarin Permanent. Do not thin this mixture. This black should be more red/brown rather than blue. Apply with a #4 bristle brush.

Add red by mixing Cadmium Red Medium with some touches of Yellow Ochre and Titanium White. On the upper part of the head, I added some touches of Viridian to darken and cool the mixture, and more Titanium White on the breast area to cool and lighten it. Apply this with the #4 bristle brush.

Mix Titanium White, Yellow Ochre with a slight touch of Chromium Green Oxide to add more feather details using the #2 Series 279 brush.

Apply light and dark red mixtures with a palette knife. Pick the paint up with the edge of the knife almost as if you were trying to cut your palette with the knife. You don’t need paint on the entire underside of the knife, just on the edge. Drag that edge of the knife along the canvas slowly, almost as if you were trying to cut the canvas, but do this gently. Palette knives can be sharp and can cut the canvas if applied with a lot of pressure. Make additional refinements with the Series 279 #4 brush. Use the same process on the wings.

Mix Transparent Red Oxide, Viridian, and Alizarin Permanent with touches of Cadmium Red to make a warm dark color for the branches. Apply with a Series 279 #4 brush. Use the same color to paint the feet with a Series 279 #2 brush.

Add the small dots on the wood using a mixture of Titanium White, Yellow Ochre and Cadmium Red. Continue making small adjustments to the branches, bird and twigs until the painting is complete. Click here to see the entire video demo.

See Resources Page for list of supplies.

Video Companion

Jason Tako is a nationally known fine artist who specializes in western, wildlife, plein air, and Historical Native American subject matter. He spent his learning years sketching the wetlands and wooded areas of rural Minnesota. He has been featured in Plein Air Magazine and Western Art Collector Magazine and he was the Featured Artist for the 2020 Southeastern Wildlife Expo. See his work at www.JasonTako.com and his demonstrations on his YouTube Channel.