Fall 2016 Acrylic Class

Acrylic Class Project: Windblown Week 3

This week I added the foreground tree using a cool, grayed brown (ultramarine blue and burnt sienna white to change the value). I based in the trunk, larger branches and roots with my #6 flat sable brush. On the edges of the trunk and branches I used the flat end of the brush to pull in to create soft edges and in the body of the trunk and branches my strokes followed the angles of the tree.

I used the wet into wet technique to change the value of my color (lighter add white, darker add more blue and touches of purple), and I made a series of dabbing strokes with my brush to create texture, all the time being aware of the curves and angles of what I was painting.

The smaller thinner branches were done with my liner brush. Be sure to have enough water to make your paint ink-like and add both dark and lighter branches and twigs to your tree.

Around the base of the trunk and roots, you can use either your flat sable or flat bristle brush to pull up some of the shorter grasses to set the tree down into the ground.

Then use your liner brush to add longer grasses. Remember to lean them in the same direction as the tree to give the windblown look to the grasses as well.

I have a bit more work to do on mine, I need more smaller branches and grasses but I may also get started on my next project of the pumpkins. I will have black gesso with me if you want to try working on a black canvas, though a white canvas is fine, you will just have to decide what kind and color you want for your background.

Keep painting and I will see you in class.