Painting Birds and Flowers — Kachōga

In Japan, paintings that depict elements of nature such as flowers, birds, and insects are called Kachōga (flower-and-bird painting). Since we have been studying flowers through the tradition of the Four Gentlemen, this time we focused on painting birds.

Because Japan has clearly defined seasonal changes, the flowers and birds represented in painting also vary with the seasons. For example, in spring, bush warblers and sparrows are often depicted; in summer, swallows and kingfishers; in autumn, pheasants and magpies; and in winter, eagles and turtle doves.

As a first step toward learning how to paint birds, we begin by practicing sparrows.  (mus in Dutch)

Unlike flowers, birds can easily lose their natural appearance if the balance between each part—the eyes, beak, head, belly, legs, and wings—is slightly off. Another important challenge is expressing the sense of movement, so that the bird appears alive and in motion.

This time as well, everyone worked with great care and curiosity, exploring different ways of expressing birds through ink painting 🐦

花や鳥、虫など自然のいきものを描く絵は、日本では「花鳥画（かちょうが）」と呼ばれています。これまで四君子を通して花の表現を学んできたので、今回は鳥を中心に描きました。

日本にははっきりとした四季の変化があり、その季節ごとに描かれる花や鳥も異なります。例えば、春は鶯や雀、夏は燕やかわせみ、秋は雉や山鵲、冬は鷲や雉鳩などがよく描かれます。

こうした鳥を描く最初の一歩として、まずは雀の練習から始めます。

鳥は花と違い、目・嘴・頭・お腹・脚・羽といったそれぞれのパーツの位置のバランスが少しでも崩れると、鳥らしく見えなくなってしまう難しさがあります。また、動いている鳥を生き生きと動いているように表現することも大切なポイントです。

今回もみなさん、それぞれに工夫しながら、さまざまな鳥の表現に取り組んでくれました 🐦