can someone tell me if a feather is prepared for painting on using some sort of medium?

Answer 1

No, I simply take a dry feather, believe it or not, I find many on our golf course..I wash those and let them dry, and then dip the dry feather on it s side, taking small amounts of paint, and running along to make a vein... works well..

Answer 2

Feathers are natures miracle. They are good the way nature made them.

Give them a coat of spay paint as a primer to supply a more workable surface. It prevents the feather from splitting while you paint.