Beginner's Guide: Fall Paintings Tips & Techniques

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 7 min read

Autumn, with its vibrant colors and crisp air, offers a wealth of inspiration for artists. Whether you're just starting to explore the world of art or looking to brush up on your skills, painting a fall scene can be both rewarding and fun. With the right approach, even beginners can create beautiful, easy fall paintings. This guide will take you through the process step by step, equipping you with tips and techniques to help you capture the essence of fall on canvas.

1. Gather Your Painting Supplies

Before we dive into the actual painting, let's first ensure you have all the necessary tools at hand. High-quality painting supplies can make the process smoother and the results more impressive. Here's what you need:

Select the Right Brushes

You don't need a vast array of brushes to create easy fall paintings for beginners. However, having a few good ones can make a significant difference. Here's what you should consider:

Size: A larger brush is great for covering big areas and painting backgrounds, while a smaller one helps with details and precision work.
Type: Flat brushes are versatile and great for broad strokes, while round brushes are perfect for details and lines.
Material: Synthetic brushes are good for water-based paints, while natural bristle brushes work best with oil paints.

Choose Quality Paints

The quality of your paints can profoundly affect the outcome of your painting. Higher-quality paints usually offer more pigment and better color intensity. If you're a beginner, acrylic paints can be a great starting point. They're easy to work with, dry quickly, and are easy to clean up. Brands like Winsor & Newton or Liquitex offer quality options.

Acquire a Good Palette

A palette is more than just a tool for mixing your paints—it's the birthplace of your colors. A good palette should have a large, flat surface for mixing and plenty of wells for your paints. It should also be easy to clean—glass or plastic palettes usually fit the bill.

Now that you've gathered the right tools, it's time to prepare your canvas and dive into the world of color theory. But we'll get to that in the next sections. Until then, happy gathering!

2. Prepare Your Canvas

With your supplies ready, it's time to prepare your canvas. This stage sets the foundation for your easy fall painting, so don't rush through it.

Priming the Canvas

Priming is like preparing a blank canvas for your masterpiece. It involves applying a layer of gesso—a type of paint mixture—to the canvas to make it more receptive to your paints. Here's why priming is important:

Smoothness: Gesso smoothens your canvas, making it easier for your brush to glide across.
Durability: It prevents your paints from soaking into the canvas, thus extending the life of your artwork.
Brightness: Gesso brightens your canvas, making your colors pop.

Most canvases you buy at stores like Michaels or Hobby Lobby are pre-primed. But if you're using a raw canvas, don't forget this step!

Sketching the Outline

Sketching an outline onto your canvas can be a great way to start your painting. It serves as a roadmap for your painting, guiding you on where to place your elements. Don't worry about making it perfect—think of it as a loose guide rather than a strict blueprint.

Start Big: Begin with the largest shapes and work your way down to the smaller ones.
Keep it Light: Use a light touch, so the lines don't show through your paints.
Be Flexible: Don't be afraid to change things as you go. The beauty of sketching is its flexibility.

With your canvas primed and your outline sketched, you're ready to bring color to your fall painting. But before you do, let's understand some color theory to make your painting even more realistic.

3. Understand Color Theory

Color theory might sound like a fancy term, but it's just a way to understand how colors work together. Grasping this can take your easy fall painting for beginners to the next level.

Mixing Colors

Imagine you're trying to paint a bright red maple leaf but only have yellow and blue paint. What do you do? You mix colors! Here's a simple guide to help you:

Primary Colors: These are red, yellow, and blue. You can't create them by mixing other colors.
Secondary Colors: When you mix two primary colors, you get a secondary color. For instance, red and yellow make orange.
Tertiary Colors: These are created by mixing a primary and a secondary color. Red-orange is an example.

By understanding these basics, you can create a vast palette from just a few paints. This will come in handy when you're trying to capture the vibrant hues of fall.

Creating Shadows and Highlights

Shadows and highlights can make your painting look three-dimensional. Here's how you can create them:

For Shadows: Mix your color with its complementary color. For example, for a green leaf, you could create a shadow effect using a bit of red.
For Highlights: Add white to your color. Remember, less is more when it comes to white. Too much can make your color look chalky.

Now that you're armed with the basics of color theory, it's time to dive into the actual painting process. Get ready to layer those colors and create some texture!

4. Master the Art of Layering

Now that you've got the basics of color theory down, let's move on to layering. Layering is what gives a painting depth and texture, making your fall scene come to life.

Painting in Layers

Layering involves building up your painting one layer at a time. This is how you can make your easy fall paintings for beginners look professional. Here's a simple step-by-step guide:

First Layer: Start with a thin layer of your lighter colors. This is called the "underpainting."
Additional Layers: Once the first layer is dry, add more layers, gradually introducing your darker colors and details. Each layer should dry before adding the next.
Final Layer: This is where you add the smallest details that bring your painting to life, like the veins in a leaf or the glint of sunlight on water.

Remember, patience is key when painting in layers. Let each layer dry thoroughly before moving on to the next. This technique will help you achieve a sense of depth and realism in your artwork.

Creating Texture

Want to make your painting more realistic? Try adding some texture. This can be done in several ways:

Using a Palette Knife: A palette knife can be used to spread thick paint, creating a textured effect. This could be useful for painting the rough bark of a tree or the fluffy clouds in the sky.
Scumbling: This technique involves brushing a thin, opaque layer of paint over a dried layer. It can create a kind of "foggy" effect, perfect for those misty fall mornings.
Splattering: Splattering paint with a brush can create a random texture. How about using this technique for a field of fall flowers?

By mastering the art of layering and texture, you can create easy fall paintings for beginners that look like they were done by a pro. Now, let's move on to capturing the beauty of fall in your artwork.

5. Capture the Beauty of Fall

Now that you've mastered the art of layering and creating texture, it's time to bring all these skills together to capture the beauty of fall. Fall is all about vibrant colors, falling leaves, and changing landscapes. Let's find out how to depict these elements in your painting.

Painting Fall Leaves

Fall is synonymous with colorful leaves. Here's how you can paint these iconic autumn elements:

Shape: Start by painting the basic shape of the leaf. Remember, not all leaves are the same—some are round, some are long, and others have intricate designs.
Color: Fall leaves are not just orange. They can be red, yellow, brown, and sometimes even purple. Be bold with your color choices.
Texture: Use your layering skills to add depth and texture to your leaves. This will make them look more realistic.

With a little practice, you'll be painting beautiful fall leaves in no time.

Depicting Fall Landscapes

When creating easy fall paintings for beginners, landscapes are a fantastic choice. They allow you to play with colors, shapes, and depth. Here are some tips:

Forests: Fall forests are a riot of colors. Use your knowledge of color theory to paint the trees and fall foliage.
Fields: Autumn fields can be golden, brown, or even a mix of colors. Use different brush strokes to depict the texture of the grass.
Sky: Fall skies can range from clear blue to gray and overcast. Remember to depict the right lighting based on the weather.

Landscapes can be as simple or as detailed as you want them to be. Don't be afraid to experiment!

Portraying Fall Lighting

Lighting can make or break your painting. The way you portray light can add mood, depth, and realism to your artwork. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Time of Day: The position of the sun changes the colors and shadows in your painting. Is it a bright morning or a calm evening?
Weather: Is it a sunny day or an overcast one? This will affect how you paint light and shadows.
Shadows: Use your darker colors to paint shadows. Remember, shadows are not always black. They can be blue, purple, or even brown.

Painting fall lighting can be tricky, but with some practice, you'll master it in no time.

Painting can be a rewarding way to express your creativity. With these tips, you'll be creating beautiful and easy fall paintings for beginners. Remember, the key is practice. So, grab your brushes and start painting!

If you enjoyed our Beginner's Guide on Fall Paintings Tips & Techniques and want to further enhance your acrylic painting skills, don't miss out on the workshop 'Improve Your Acrylic Painting Skills' by Rachel Christopoulos. This workshop will provide you with invaluable tips and techniques to elevate your acrylic painting and help you create stunning masterpieces.