October 2023 - Realistic Acrylic Portrait School

Archive Monthly Archives: October 2023

How To Paint Golden Fields Under Crimson Trees:30 Minute Acrylic

Capture the essence of autumn with this quick and vibrant acrylic landscape

Introduction

Autumn is a season of vibrant colors, with trees adorned in hues of crimson, orange, and gold. Capturing this beauty on canvas can be a rewarding challenge for any artist. In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to paint a stunning landscape featuring golden fields under crimson trees using acrylic paints. This guide is based on a 30-minute painting session, so it’s perfect for those who want to create a quick yet impactful artwork. Let’s dive into the steps, colors, and techniques needed to bring this autumn scene to life.

Materials You Will Need

Canvas: 8×10 inch white canvas board
Acrylic Paints:
- Ivory Black
- Raw Umber
- Dark Burnt Sienna
- Raw Sienna
- Ultramarine Blue
- Alizarine Crimson
- Naphthol Red
- Pyrrole Orange
- Indian Yellow
- Titanium White
Brushes:
- Quarter-inch flat brush
- Medium flat brush
- Detail brush
Palette
Water and Cloth for Cleaning Brushes
Matte Medium (Optional)

Step 1: Setting the Scene

Before starting your painting, it’s essential to set up a scene in your mind or use a reference photo. For this tutorial, we’re inspired by a pictures autumn view from Wisconsin, where golden fields stretch under a canopy of crimson trees.

Blocking in the Horizon

Begin by establishing your horizon line on the canvas. This line should sit slightly below the center, following the golden mean, which is not quite the halfway mark but a bit above a third. This placement will help balance your composition.

Mix a base color using ultramarine blue, raw sienna, and titanium white to create a soft greenish tone for the distant trees. Use a medium flat brush to block in the horizon line and the general structure of the fields and hills.

Step 2: Painting the Fields

The golden fields are the focal point of this painting. To achieve the rich tones of harvested crops, mix burnt sienna, raw sienna, and titanium white to create a warm base color. Apply this mixture to the foreground, using broad, horizontal strokes to suggest the flow of the field.

For the mid-ground, lighten the base color by adding more titanium white and a touch of indian yellow. This area should be slightly lighter to create depth and distance. Apply firm pressure with your brush to create a sense of texture in the field.

Step 3: Creating the Distant Hills

The distant hills should be a lighter, more subdued version of the field colors. Mix titanium white, phthalo blue, and indian yellow to create a muted greenish-blue tone. Apply this color to the hills in the background, keeping your brushstrokes soft and horizontal.

This muted tone will help push the hills further back in the composition, creating a sense of depth.

Step 4: Adding the Crimson Trees

Now comes the exciting part—adding the vibrant crimson trees that will dominate the upper part of the composition. Mix pyrrole orange, alizarine crimson, and a touch of indian yellow to create a fiery red-orange color. Use a small flat brush to apply this color in dabs and strokes, mimicking the natural shape of tree foliage.

Pay attention to the placement of these trees. Group them in clusters to avoid a pattern-like appearance, which can make the painting look unnatural. Place the trees slightly off-center to create a more dynamic composition.

Step 5: Enhancing the Colors

To make the trees stand out even more, layer in highlights and additional tones. Mix titanium white with pyrrole orange for brighter highlights, and with indian yellow for golden touches. Apply these colors to the tops of the trees, where sunlight would naturally hit, creating a vibrant glow.

You can also add a few touches of bright green to the trees by mixing phthalo blue with indian yellow and titanium white. This will add variety and realism to the foliage.

Step 6: Introducing the Foreground Trees

To frame the scene, add darker trees in the foreground. Mix raw sienna, ultramarine blue, and ivory black to create a deep, dark green. Use a small flat brush to paint the silhouettes of trees and bushes in the foreground. These trees should be darker and more detailed to draw the viewer’s eye into the scene.

Step 7: Final Touches and Details

With the main elements in place, it’s time to refine your painting with final details. Add texture to the trees by using a dry-brush technique—lightly drag a nearly dry brush with a small amount of paint over the canvas to create the illusion of leaves and branches.

If needed, add more highlights to the tops of the trees and fine-tune the colors in the fields. You can also use a detail brush to add small branches or leaves that catch the light.

Finally, paint the sky using a mix of titanium white and a tiny amount of ultramarine blue to create a soft, pale blue. The sky should be light and slightly gray, complementing the warm tones of the landscape below.

Tips & Techniques

Use a Reference: Always have a reference photo or real-life scene in mind. This helps maintain accuracy and enhances the realism of your painting.
Layering Colors: Start with darker tones and gradually layer lighter colors on top. This technique adds depth and dimension to your painting.
Brush Control: For more control over the shapes and textures, use smaller brushes for details and larger brushes for broader areas.
Timing: Remember, this is a 30-minute painting session. Keep your strokes deliberate and avoid overworking any part of the painting.

Painting an autumn landscape in just 30 minutes is not only possible but also a rewarding experience. By following these steps, you can capture the essence of golden fields under crimson trees and bring a slice of autumn’s beauty to your canvas. Don’t worry if it doesn’t turn out perfect—each painting is a learning opportunity. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll master the art of quick, vibrant landscapes.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me. I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.

Yours for Better Portraits,

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How to Use Halation to Improve Vibrance and Realism

Learn how to add warmth and depth to your portraits with this simple yet powerful technique

Introduction

When it comes to portrait painting, achieving vibrance and realism can be a challenging task. However, with the right techniques, you can bring your paintings to life with rich colors and dynamic contrast. One such technique is halation, a method that involves adding warmer tones at the edges of light and dark values. This blog post will guide you through the process of using halation to improve the vibrance and realism in your acrylic paintings, inspired by the works of artists like Wayne Thiebaud.

What is Halation?

Halation is a technique where warmer tones are applied at the junctions between light and dark values in a painting. This creates a glowing effect, adding depth and energy to the artwork. The term “halation” is derived from the word “halo,” which refers to the glowing ring often seen around a light source. In painting, this technique can be used to enhance the visual impact of the artwork, especially in scenes with dramatic lighting.

Why Use Halation?

The use of halation can significantly enhance the vibrance and realism of a painting. By adding warm tones, such as reds, oranges, and yellows, at the edges where light meets shadow, the painting gains a dynamic contrast that draws the viewer’s eye. This technique is particularly effective in creating a sense of depth and making the subjects in the painting stand out. Additionally, halation can evoke a warm, glowing atmosphere, which is especially useful in scenes with strong sunlight or other light sources.

The Halation Technique in Action

In the video, I’ll demonstrate the use of halation while working on a 30×40 acrylic portrait of Moses, Aaron, and Hur during the Amalakite battle. The scene is set with extreme lighting, where most subjects are in shadow with strong illumination hitting just the edges. Here’s how halation is applied in this scenario:

Choosing the Right Colors:
I uses a combination of pyrrole orange and indian yellow to create the warm tones needed for halation. These colors are vibrant and stand out well against the darker background, making them ideal for this technique.
Applying Warm Tones:
Using a round brush, I carefully applies these warm tones at the junctions between light and dark values. For example, around Moses’ face, the edges of the clothing, and even on the rocks and clouds. The goal is to highlight the areas where the light meets the shadow, creating a glowing effect.
Maintaining the Lighting Scenario:
The halation technique is particularly effective in scenes with dramatic lighting, such as the low sunlight depicted in this painting. By adding warm tones in these high-contrast areas, the painting maintains a consistent lighting scenario that enhances the overall realism.
Creating Visual Impact:
As the warmer tones are added, the painting begins to take on a more vibrant and energetic feel. The halation effect draws the viewer’s attention to the key elements of the painting, such as the faces of the subjects and the illuminated edges of their clothing. This not only improves the vibrance but also adds a sense of movement and life to the scene.

Tips and Techniques for Using Halation

Select the Right Colors:
When choosing colors for halation, opt for warm, vibrant hues like reds, oranges, and yellows. These colors should complement the existing palette of your painting while standing out enough to create the desired contrast.
Use a Fine Brush:
Precision is key when applying halation. Use a fine, round brush to carefully add the warm tones at the edges of light and dark values. This ensures that the halation effect is subtle yet impactful.
Balance the Effect:
While halation can add vibrance, it’s important not to overdo it. Apply the warm tones sparingly, focusing on the areas of highest contrast. This will prevent the painting from becoming too saturated and losing its realism.
Practice on Smaller Areas First:
If you’re new to halation, start by practicing on smaller areas of your painting. Experiment with different colors and brush techniques to see how the effect changes the overall look of the artwork.
Study the Masters:
Artists like Wayne Thiebaud have mastered the halation technique. Study their works to see how they use warm tones to enhance vibrance and realism. This can provide inspiration and guidance as you incorporate halation into your own paintings.

Halation is a powerful technique that can transform your acrylic paintings, adding vibrance and realism by carefully placing warm tones at the edges of light and dark values. Whether you’re working on a dramatic battle scene or a serene portrait, mastering halation will elevate your art to new levels of depth and energy. Start experimenting with this technique today, and watch as your paintings come to life with color and light.

For more tips and tutorials on acrylic painting, be sure to check out my website at www.realisticacrylic.com, and my free course. Where you can find a wealth of resources to help you improve your skills and create stunning artwork. Happy painting!