Fall or autumn is characterized by cool weather making deciduous trees turn brilliant colors in many parts of North America. While watercolor is the perfect medium to express the beauty of fall trees you can also use other water-based materials. They all require few supplies and no special talent. Begin today celebrating autumn on paper, in a work of art.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Preparing
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Prepare by looking at actual fall trees. Alternatively, you could go to internet sites to see photographs of fall trees. Or you could just use your imagination and think of a scene where colorful trees are on display.
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Choose your medium. Watercolor paints are a good option for the top of trees, but pencils also work well and are easy to use. Foliage can be made of scribbles that blend when painted over with water.
- Using a good quality watercolor paint will give you more intense colored foliage.
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3Envision your artwork. Hold a piece of watercolor paper in either alignment and imagine that the entire top three-quarters of the composition will be the colorful foliage of masses of trees. The only other element will be straight, vertical lines of the tree trunks and they will take up the lower portion of the page.
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4Set up your painting space with craft brushes and watercolors. You will want a pointed one for details and a larger brush to cover large areas fast. Open and activate your watercolors with a few drops of water. For rinsing brushes, use a container that holds at least of cup or more of clean water. Put out a few tissues for controlling drips. Work where there is good light.Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Painting the Trees
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Wet the top of the paper with clean water using a large brush. Be generous because the water will be the vehicle that carries the paint you will be adding. Wait a minute to allow the water to begin to absorb into the paper. Your goal will be to let the colors mix and mingle by themselves. Of course, you can help it along if you need to.
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Add color to the top of the trees. Typically, fall leaves are in the warm family of colors. Yellow, orange, and red will mingle and create new shades of those colors. Add touches of green, violet, or blue.
- Add more color where needed and dab up excess pools of water.
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Add colorful accents to the trees as they begin to dry.
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Create tree trunks using vertical lines. Once the trunks are dry, you can add dabs of brown, black, or any dark color to create texture. Add limbs that peek through the foliage.
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Put the trees on solid ground. Draw with a small brush or paint horizontal lines to represent where the trees are standing.
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6Paint a suggestion of blue sky showing through the foliage, if desired. Show falling leaves by dabbing with a small brush filled with warm colors.Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Finishing the Artwork
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Allow the painting to dry naturally or hasten the process with a hair dryer. Make finishing touches and since colors tend to lighten as they dry, brighten areas where necessary.
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Note how each type of paint or medium looks on watercolor paper. The heavier stock holds up well using wet applications of paint and resists curling.
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When dry, study your work and while the technique is fresh in your mind, paint a scene of trees again. It will be easier the second time and you will have greater confidence having learned a lot by having already done the steps.
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4Wait a few days and do another painting. Change things up and do a scene in early spring or summer with shades of green for the treetops.
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5Sign your work and keep it in a simple portfolio that you can make by folding a sheet of tagboard in half. It is fun to see paintings accumulate and to compare them to see your growth as an artist.
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6Consider the art of trees. Once you have painted a scene of trees, you will find yourself seeing trees as an artist does. You will admire their colors, shapes and details. Hopefully, you will be inspired to paint trees again and make them in your own way.Advertisement
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Tips
- Clean your brushes and paints and keep your supplies together for future painting sessions.Thanks
- Try not to judge yourself harshly. Just give painting another go because you will be learning and imagining how to do it differently the next time.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Watercolor box
- Watercolors, pay more for a larger assortment of colors, available at discount, craft and art stores. With art supplies, you get what you pay for. Good supplies work better and last longer, too.
- Optional - Watercolor pencils, get a name-brand set online or at the office supply store
- Optional - A set of watercolor brushes available at art, craft or big box stores.
- A pad of heavy watercolor paper available at art, craft, or big box stores.
- Assorted craft brushes with soft hairs, a set made for doing art work.
About this article
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