How to Create an Autumnal Mixed Media Painting

* Daler Rowney Payne’s Grey Ink

* Stretched Canvas 1.5m x 1m

* Large Brush Set 3 Pieces

* Montana Matte Spray Varnish

* Derwent Graphic Pencil Tin 6 Pieces

* Daler Rowney Graduate Gesso Primer

* Hobbycraft No.6 Palette Knife

* Faber Castell Creative Studio Oil Pastel 12 Pack

* Daler Rowney System 3 Acrylic Paint in Titanium White, Cadmium Red Hue, Cadmium Yellow,

Burnt Umber & Paynes Grey

* A Pencil

First, it’s time to prime your canvas - it will give you a smooth and uniform surface.

For this you can use Gesso, which is a waterproof primer. Grab a large paintbrush and cover the canvas with two thin coats, allowing time to dry between.

Now your canvas has dried, get a soft pencil and begin to map your shapes. Do not worry about being too precise at this stage as the pencil lines will be covered up later by the paint.

Now you have your colours mixed, look closely at your subject again and begin to map out the areas of colour.

Use your palette knife and large brush to scrape paint onto the canvas, creating texture and shapes. You can layer the paint to create interesting shades and depths of colour. Allow yourself to flow with the shapes and textures of Autumn and have fun.

You can use water in a spray bottle to create interesting drips. Any mistakes can be tidied up at a later stage.

Next, it’s time to paint the trunks and branches. Use a fine brush and a pot of Payne’s Grey ink to achieve a fine, wispy line akin to the spindly branches of a tree. If it helps, you can begin by mapping these out with a pencil, going over later with the ink.

Now it’s time to add another layer of leaves.

Build up the paint using your large brush and a pallet knife as if you are now working on the leaves and other objects closest to you. Focus on the colour beneath at this stage – you can add any bright highlights or flecks of light next.

Now, add any flecks of light with the oil pastels. These go on in a translucent way meaning that their appearance will not be too harsh and distracting.

Remember to keep stepping back and looking at the overall composition to check that the painting is coming together in the right way.

You can also draw subtle details with your oil pastels, such as small branches and leaves.

Your design is nearly there!

To give the trees and leaves shape and definition, use a light blue paint to add flecks of sky where it would appear to be poking through. Look closely at your sky, is it grey, lilac, white or blue?  We used a Cerulean Blue mixed with Titanium White and a touch of Cadmium Red to create this sky colour.

Use a medium sized flat brush to paint your sky where it is poking through.

Once you are happy with your painting, we recommend that you complete the painting with a varnish which will protect it from dust, dirt and fading. As we have used oil pastels and ink, we recommend applying a spray varnish as this will limit any smudges.

You can choose a Matte, Satin or Gloss depending on your preferences. Be sure to allow the painting to fully dry before varnishing to avoid cracks – this can take up to 1 week.