Welcome to this step-by-step acrylic painting tutorial where we will make an abstract realistic painting. This exercise aims to transform the fleeting beauty of nature into an immortal work of art through the medium of painting.
My painting is attached below captures the essence of that sublime autumn scenery using acrylics on an 11 x 14 inch canvas. It is inspired by a stunning autumn evening, when a golden yellow-orange sunlight spread across the landscape, making a grand oak tree in front of my house shine like gold. Underneath the tree, the scene was adorned with snowberries and frost on the road.
Materials Needed
Canvas
Acrylic paints
Paint Brushes: Flat brush, Round brush, Detail brush
Palette
Water container
Natural elements ( for initial collage) like Autumn Leaves, pampas grass, rowan berries, pine cones, money plant leaves, orange rose petals etc or anything that intrigues you from the nature.
Step 1: Create an Initial Collage:
Before we start painting, create an initial collage using natural elements to get a feel of the textures and shapes. Collect leaves, grass, berries, pine cones, and other items from your garden or nearby parks.
Arrange these items on a surface to form the basic structure of your scene such as a tree or landscape.
Take a picture of your collage to use as a reference.
Step 2: Sketch Your Composition
Using a pencil, lightly sketch the main elements of your collage onto the canvas.
Step 3: Paint the Background
Sky: Start with a flat brush to paint the sky. Use a blend of yellow, orange, and a hint of red to capture the golden sunlight. Gradually blend these colors to create a gradient effect.
Road: Use a mix of blue and white to paint the frosty road. Add some texture by lightly dabbing with a sponge or a rough brush.
Step 4: Paint the main elements of the collage
Observe the texture of the natural elements in the collage and paint accordingly on the canvas.
Leaves: Mix yellow, orange, and red to paint the autumn leaves. Use a round brush to dab the paint onto the canvas, creating a layered effect to mimic the texture of leaves.
Step 5: Add Details to the Foreground
Paint elements in the foreground such as Plants and Snowberries. Use shades of green for the plants and white for the snowberries. Add small touches of blue to the white to give a frosty effect.
Incorporate elements from your collage such as pampas grass and rowan berries. Use a detail brush to add fine lines and textures.
Step 6: Final Touches and Highlights
Highlights: Add highlights to the leaves, branches, and plants using lighter shades of yellow and green.
Sunlight: Create a glowing effect by adding white and yellow highlights where the sunlight hits the tree and surrounding areas.
Step 7: Capture the Impression
Take a step back and review your painting. Compare it with your reference picture and collage to ensure it captures the unique reality and abstraction of the scene.
Conclusion
Your painting "Autumn Ablaze" is now complete. This piece not only captures the vibrant colors and textures of an autumn but also embodies the ephemeral beauty of nature as it transitions through its natural process. Display your artwork proudly, and enjoy the warmth and serenity it brings to any space.
Happy painting!