Click here to view the How-To YouTube video.

A part of doing this tree and fireweed painting is to understand its design or structure. For this painting, I chose an oval, followed by repeating triangles (as in the outer edge of the tree and flowers). The idea of the oval helped me to choose where to place contrasts of light and colour, which then helps the viewer to visually follow the intended movement. We are the ‘conductors’ of our acrylic paintings! (And oil, watercolour and pastel paintings!)

Also take your time choosing a colour ground as a part of painting a tree and fireweed. For this one I chose quinacridone red. Have your pigments chosen and ready to go on your palette.

The colours used for the tree and fireweed painting:

Nickel Azo Yellow (a very bright and transparent yellow). 
Ultramarine Blue
Quinacridone Magenta
Quinacridone Red
Titanium White
Medium to thin paint: Acrylic Gloss Polymer medium. 

Use the best quality paints you can afford. When you see the words ‘student quality’, beware. These paints have fillers and less pigment which makes for poor colour results.

Using negative space painting techniques:

As many artists do, making use of negative space painting is not only pleasurable but makes for more interesting work. So, rather than painting the sky, then pasting on the mountain, then the hillside, then the tree and then the flowers, consider doing the layers differently. In this painting I began with the tree and foliage, then the hillside, followed by the distant mountain, the sky and then the flowers. You’ll see why after watching the video! It’s fun to decide what to cover and what to allow.

For a basic explanation of negative space drawing, check out this YouTube video.

Here is a line drawing you are welcome to print, though I encourage you to do your own drawing. Let the magic of your personal ‘gestalt’ show through! This is just a fancy way of saying let your personal style appear.

Use glazing for more vibrant colours! Click the link to learn more: https://mirjavahalaartstudio.com/glazing-methods-you-need-to-know/

Gestalt: an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts.