8943 Ibis Birds
Jerry Yarnell – Inspiration of Painting PBS Television Series

Beautiful scarlet ibis birds rest among twisting tree branches and lush tropical foliage beneath a soft atmospheric canopy filled with filtered light and rich natural color. The brilliant reds of the birds contrast dramatically against the deep greens and earthy woodland textures, creating a peaceful wildlife scene full of exotic beauty and atmosphere. In this beginner skill level acrylic painting lesson, Jerry guides you step-by-step through creating this colorful tropical bird composition in a 106 minute session on an 18x24 canvas.

You’ll learn how to build a strong wildlife composition using the sweeping tree branches and clustered bird placement to naturally guide the viewer’s eye throughout the painting. Jerry demonstrates how to block in the major shapes first, then gradually refine the birds, foliage, and branch structures while maintaining softness and atmospheric depth.

Special focus is given to painting ibis birds, feather textures, tangled branches, tropical foliage, and soft jungle lighting using layered color, blending, and controlled brushwork. You’ll also explore how to create depth through overlapping branches and softened background vegetation while keeping the brightly colored birds as the primary focal point.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll gain confidence in painting tropical wildlife, atmospheric foliage, and natural woodland textures while learning how to balance detailed subjects with soft environmental backgrounds. This is an excellent project for beginners looking to strengthen their acrylic painting skills while producing a vibrant and visually captivating wildlife scene.