
How To Paint Autumn Trees & Foliage
What You’ll Learn
FOCUS ON MASS FOLIAGE SHAPES: Any painted tree looks better when the foliage is treated as one mass shape, rather than a collection of individual leaves. Learn the technique that makes this easy.
SHADOW FORMULAS FOR LIGHT COLORS : The shadowed parts of autumn foliage tends to be warmer and lighter than we expect. Learn color formulas that work well to represent colorful foliage in shadow.
LET THE MEDIUM WORK! : It’s not called ‘water’color for nothing. Expressive looseness is fundamental to the beauty of watercolor paintings. Learn to ‘let it flow’ and allow the expressive flow manifest the unique beauty that is the essence of watercolor painting.
Course Overview
Learn to capture the vibrant, breathtaking colors of fall foliage using one special watercolor technique.
We’ll cover everything from mixing formulas for golden foliage, textural techniques for the wispy look of thinned canopies, and capturing autumn light effects on fall scenes.
The course covers everything you need to know included in three demo exercises and a full-length, in-depth fall landscape painting lesson.
Get The Best FromWatercolor With These Tips
Draw The Scene Onto Your Paper With Light Pencil Lines
Squeeze Fresh Color Onto Your Palette For Good Color Strength
Use Your LARGEST Brushes For Most Of The Painting
Save The Smallest Brushes For The End Of The Painting
Use PLENTY Of Water In Both Large Washes And Small Shapes
Ignore The Impulse To Control The Medium – Especially The Loose Washes
Ignore The Impulse To Correct “Problems” Immediately – Especially At The Beginning
Relax And Enjoy!
What You’ll Need
RECOMMENDED PAPER : 4 Sheets PROFESSIONAL Watercolor Paper about 7” x 10” - Saunders 140lb Cold Press recommended. Also have some extra pieces for technique practice- these can be “scraps” - the backs of less successful works is what I use for practice.
BRUSHES : 1 1/2”, 1”, 1/2” Flats, Large (>#18), Medium(#14 or 16) and Small(#6 or 8) Rounds
PAINT COLORS : Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Aureolin Yellow, Cadmium Yellow, Quinacridone Burnt Scarlet, Cadmium Red
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Review the methods and overall approach to take with this exercise.
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Take a look at the recommended paints and brushes you’ll use in this painting.
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Practice Exercise
This exercise covers the special technique and color ideas for bright autumn foliage.
This exercise covers the special technique and color ideas for bright autumn foliage.
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Take a first look at the drawing layout and the and the methods used in the painting.
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Take a look at the paint colors and brushes to use in this exercise.
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Practice Exercise 2
Work through the exercise concentrating on mass shapes for the foliage and building form and structure with value changes.
Work through the exercise concentrating on mass shapes for the foliage and building form and structure with value changes.
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Review the layout and approach we’ll take in this lesson
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Take a look at the colors and brushes used in this exercise.
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Step 1 : Golden Tree & Foreground
Unlike most landscape scenes, we’ll start in the foreground with this one.
Unlike most landscape scenes, we’ll start in the foreground with this one.
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Step 2 : Background Sky & Hills; Finish & Refinements
Add the sky and background in this step. Careful work is needed where foliage overlaps sky.
Add the sky and background in this step. Careful work is needed where foliage overlaps sky.
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About Your Instructor
Thanks for taking this watercolor painting course!
I’m Tony Conner, a self-taught watercolorist like you!
My own watercolor journey was challenging and frustrating. My self-education included many resources - books, videos, classes & workshops along with a lot of trial and error.
The learning process often felt a lot like “ two steps forward and three steps back”.
This course and others like it here on Watercolor Methods was created to teach specific skills and techniques in a way that makes them understandable and accessible, even to those who might just be starting out.
Don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have questions or concerns.
Find out more about my own watercolor painting journey here.
Explore other lessons and courses in the Watercolor School.