Hi! Welcome to the [f2]first[] of the main lessons.
In this lesson, we are going to try [f2]pencil and paints together[] to make one picture!
[a4]For this, I'll give you a canvas already covered with a wash of [f2]pale green[].
Artists often like to paint a canvas all over with one colour before they start.
This base layer is called a [f2]toned ground[]. It can save you from filling in big areas later...
...or it can give a particular [f2]character[] to the whole painting, bringing it together.
[a7]Let's have a sneaky peek beforehand at what we are going to paint.
It's going to be a [f2]tree[]!
Stage 1 of 6 - Underdrawing
In [f2]Stage One[], we'll sketch in a basic outline of our tree in pencil.
We'll try the [f2]HB pencil[]. It should show up clearly on the painted ground.
Stage 1 of 6: Underdrawing
[f1]Stage 1, Step 1[][b1][i1]Select the [f2]HB pencil[] to use for the underdrawing.[]
We need the pencil first because we want to sketch out an [f2]underdrawing[].
An underdrawing is a [f2]simple drawing[] that helps [f2]plan[] the painting.
We should start with a line for the [f2]ground[], so the tree has a place to grow.
Next, I'll do the [f2]trunk[].
I've drawn it with a [f2]graceful curve[] to it. I don't want it too straight and lifeless.
I also started it from the [f2]ground up[], the way a tree would grow.
Likewise for the [f2]branches[]. I'll start at the trunk and [f2]draw them outwards[].
Try to think about the tree's [f2]structure[] as you work. Imagine how a tree would grow.
It's almost like a [f2]firework[] going off in slow motion; so slow we can't see it moving.
The trunk is like a rocket, shooting up and [f2][v]exploding[][] out into the branches and leaves.
It's interesting to think about it like that. [p1]Give it a try.
Stage 1 of 6: Underdrawing
[f1]Stage 1, Step 2[][b1][i1]Sketch in the [f2]ground[] and the shape of the [f2]tree trunk[] and [f2]branches[].[][b1][i1]Try to think about how the tree would grow.[][b1][i1]Tools: [f2]HB pencil[], [f2]point[].[]
How did it go? Were you able to imagine the tree growing as you drew it?
Understanding how the tree's structure works will help to make your drawing [f2]convincing[].
[a4]It's always good to try to [f2]see the movement[] in everything you draw and paint.
I don't mean that trees physically [f2]move around[] everywhere.
At least, I don't [f2]think[] they do...
But when you draw a lot, you discover that all things are made up of [f2]lines[] and [f2]shapes[]...
...that appear to [f2]move[] and [f2]flow[] in certain directions.
Once you understand this, you will find it easier to capture an object's [f2]true essence[].
Even when we draw a plant from our imagination, we can try to think of how it grows.
We can use that to influence its [f2]shape[] and [f2]character[] in the drawing.
[a7]Next, we need to sketch in the [f2]leaves[] on the underdrawing.
[a4]Remember in the first lesson I talked about not having to draw everything that's there?
It would take far too long to draw individual leaves here.
Instead, we will concentrate on drawing the leaves in [f2]bunches[] or [f2]clumps[].
For now, we can just imagine the clumps as [f2]round balls[] or [f2]balloons[].
Later we'll make them look leafy, but for an underdrawing, a [f2]balloon tree[] is fine.
[a7]Here we go. Remember the firework analogy? It's still useful here.
Now it's your turn. Try to position the clumps in a way that [f2]feels natural[].
Stage 1 of 6: Underdrawing
[f1]Stage 1, Step 3[][b1][i1]Sketch in [f2]clumps of leaves[] on the tree's branches.[][b1][i1]Don't get too detailed. Round blobs will do for this bit.[][b1][i1]Tools: [f2]HB pencil[], [f2]point[].[]
[a8]Well done! We've finished our underdrawing now, so we won't be using pencils anymore.
Stage 2 of 6 - Leaves
In [f2]Stage Two[], it's time to switch to painting!
You might expect to paint the trunk first, but in fact I want to start with the [f2]leaves[].
Doing the leaves first will stop the green from getting too [f2]mixed up[] with the brown.
We can do this because of the [f2]underdrawing[]. It shows us where the trunk will be.
Let's get some [f2]green paint[] and a [f2]flat brush[] to start off.
Stage 2 of 6: Leaves
[f1]Stage 2, Step 1[][b1][i1]Pick a [f2]medium[], [f2]flat brush[] and some [f2]light green paint[] for the leaves.[]
Now to start painting in the leaf clumps. It looks best if it's [f2]not too tidy[].
And since I have the green paint, I may as well paint in the [f2]ground[], too.
We want to [f2]stay loose[] when painting the ground and have fun with the leaf clumps.
Try to keep them slightly [f2]untidy[], for a more [f2]natural[] look.
Stage 2 of 6: Leaves
[f1]Stage 2, Step 2[][b1][i1]Paint in the [f2]leaf clumps[], trying to keep them [f2]loose[] and [f2]untidy[].[][b1][i1]Be sure to paint in the [f2]ground[] as well.[][b1][i1]Tools: [f2]medium[], [f2]flat brush[]; [f2]light green paint[].[]
[a8]Great! We've made a good start on the leaves now.
Stage 3 of 6 - Trunk
In [f2]Stage Three[], we'll move on to the body of the tree: its trunk and branches.
Let's switch to a [f2]round brush[] for this and some [f2]brown paint[].
I think you've got the hang of picking tools by now, so I'll just leave you to it.
Stage 3 of 6: Trunk
[f1]Stage 3, Step 1[][b1][i1]Pick some [f2]light brown paint[] and a [f2]medium[], [f2]round brush[] for painting the trunk.[]
The [f2]round brush[] is better for painting [f2]finer marks[].
As you paint, remember how the trunk [f2]grows[] from the ground up.
Take care when painting the branches in between the leaves.
Stage 3 of 6: Trunk
[f1]Stage 3, Step 2[][b1][i1]Paint in the tree's [f2]trunk[] and [f2]branches[].[][b1][i1]Remember to think about [f2]form[] and [f2]movement[].[]
[a8]We've finished painting the tree's basic shape now.
Stage 4 of 6 - Shaded Parts
In [f2]Stage Four[], we'll add more volume to the tree with darker areas of [f2]shade[].
Let's start with the [f2]leaves[] again.
Remember the Apple lesson? Imagine that the light is falling from that direction again.
If we do, we can start to imagine our leaf clumps as [f2]fuzzy spheres[] like this.
We'll need some [f2]dark green paint[] for the shadows.
Stage 4 of 6: Shaded Parts
[f1]Stage 4, Step 1[][b1][i1]Pick a [f2]small[], [f2]flat brush[] and the [f2]dark green paint[].[]
Now I'm going to add some [f2]shadowy areas[] to my leaf clumps.
Remember, it's easiest to imagine them as [f2]groups of fluffy spheres[] like this.
There we are. Just imagine the light falling on broken, fuzzy surfaces.
Stage 4 of 6: Shaded Parts
[f1]Stage 4, Step 2[][b1][i1]Paint in the [f2]shadows[] on the [f2]leaves[].[][b1][i1]Imagine the light is shining on fuzzy [f2]ball shapes[] from a certain direction.[][b1][i1]Tools: [f2]small[], [f2]flat brush[]; [f2]dark green paint[].[]
Next, we can do the same for the [f2]trunk[] and [f2]branches[].
This time, try to imagine how the light would fall on a [f2]collection of tubes[] like these.
We'll need a [f2]small[], [f2]round brush[] for this.
Stage 4 of 6: Shaded Parts
[f1]Stage 4, Step 3[][b1][i1]Switch to a [f2]small[], [f2]round brush[] and pick some [f2]dark brown paint[].[]
Okay, it's best to try to keep this slightly [f2]loose[] and [f2]expressive[].
Remember, if it goes wrong, you can always replay the step.
That's it. Remember the tube example and try not to be too exact. Good luck!
Stage 4 of 6: Shaded Parts
[f1]Stage 4, Step 4[][b1][i1]Add [f2]shading[] to the unlit sides of the [f2]trunk[] and [f2]branches[].[][b1][i1]Tools: [f2]small[], [f2]round brush[]; [f2]dark brown paint[].[]
[a8]Great work! We've finished off the tree by painting its shaded areas.
Stage 5 of 6 - Grass
In [f2]Stage Five[], we'll continue adding some more detail to our painting.
Can you see how just adding some shaded areas gives an [f2]illusion of light falling[]?
There are some extra touches we can add to make the picture even better.
First, let's get some [f2]dark green[] paint, for a bit of [f2]grass[] detail.
Stage 5 of 6: Grass
[f1]Stage 5, Step 1[][b1][i1]Keep the same brush, but pick some [f2]dark green paint[].[]
Some darker texture on the ground will give the [f2]impression of grass[].
As before, concentrate on the [f2]form[] and [f2]movement[] more than the actual shapes.
There, that looks much more convincing with the tree now. Give it a try!
Stage 5 of 6: Grass
[f1]Stage 5, Step 2[][b1][i1]Add some texture to the ground to give an impression of [f2]grass[].[][b1][i1]Tools: [f2]small[], [f2]round brush[]; [f2]dark green paint[].[]
[a8]We've now added interest to the ground with some darker grass.
Stage 6 of 6 - Final Touch
In [f2]Stage Six[], we'll crown the painting with some last splashes of colour.
How about jazzing it up with some [f2]colourful fruit[]?
I think we should use [f2]red paint[] for this.
Stage 6 of 6: Final Touch
[f1]Stage 6, Step 1[][b1][i1]Keep the small, round brush, but pick some [f2]red paint[].[]
Now to paint the [f2]apples[]. Not too many, though! It looks nicer with just a few as a [f2]suggestion[].
There! We've come all the way from one apple in the first lesson to a whole apple tree!
The picture gains so much life from that [f2]warm red[] against the [f2]cool greens[] of the leaves.
Ready to try that now? Just sprinkle around a few dabs of red.
Stage 6 of 6: Final Touch
[f1]Stage 6, Step 2[][b1][i1]Paint some [f2]apples[] on the tree. Not too many, though, just a [f2]suggestion[] of them.[][b1][i1]Tools: [f2]small[], [f2]round brush[]; [f2]red paint[].[]
As the fruit looks so good, perhaps we should liven up the grass with some [f2]flowers[].
Let's try [f2]yellow paint[] for this. They can be daffodils. Or maybe dandelions.
Stage 6 of 6: Final Touch
[f1]Stage 6, Step 3[][b1][i1]Keep the small, round brush, but pick some [f2]yellow paint[].[]
As with the apples, I won't paint the flowers' shapes, only a [f2]suggestion[] of them.
That looks good. Ready to try it?
Stage 6 of 6: Final Touch
[f1]Stage 6, Step 4[][b1][i1]Paint in some [f2]daffodils[] for the final touch of life.[][b1][i1]Tools: [f2]small[], [f2]round brush[]; [f2]yellow paint[].[]
[a8]We've finished the final touches now. Well done!
This lesson has given you a good idea of the structure of all the lessons to come.
Let's have a look back at how it was done.
[a4]We began with an [f2]underdrawing[], to show us where everything needed to be.
We built up in [f2]layers[], learning to see the [f2]movement[] and [f2]flow[] in all things.
This lets us see a tree as a thing that [f2]grows[] and [f2]changes[], not a static object.
Next, we thought about the direction of the light and used this to add [f2]shading[].
After that, it was time for [f2]details[] such as some [f2]grass texture[]...
...and some splashes of [f2]contrasting colour[] to bring the painting to life.
[a7]You've done very well so far. I think you're ready to work from life next.
See you in the next lesson!
*UNUSED STRING - PLEASE IGNORE*
Lesson Complete!
[f1]End of Lesson[][b1][i1]You're done![f2] Bravo[]![][b1][i1]You can still [f2]touch up[] your finished painting using any of the techniques you've learnt.[]