8869 The Owl
Jerry Yarnell – Inspiration of Painting PBS Television Series

A striking owl perches quietly on a branch, its bright yellow eyes drawing immediate attention against a soft, muted background that keeps the focus on form and character. In this beginner level acrylic painting lesson, Jerry walks you step-by-step through creating this wildlife study in a 70 minute session on an 18x24 canvas, capturing both the texture of feathers and the personality of the subject.

You’ll learn how to construct the owl using simple shapes, then build up detail through layered brushwork to create realistic feather patterns without overworking the surface. Jerry demonstrates how to control value and color to bring out the structure of the face, wings, and body.

Special focus is given to painting expressive eyes and soft feather textures, using highlights and subtle color shifts to create depth and life. You’ll also explore how to paint the branch and background with minimal detail so they support the subject without distracting from it.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll gain confidence in painting wildlife subjects, understanding texture, and capturing character through careful detail and contrast. This is an excellent project for beginners looking to expand their skills while creating a bold and engaging animal study.