Just A Tree - Full Color Realism The Easy Way
How To Do Layering and Soft Edges For Realism
Just A Tree - An Easy Technique for Tree Realism
'Just a Tree' but will give you not only a beautiful painting but also an information packed lesson! See value in action, with a wide and believable range of dark to light green in the finished product.
Even beginners can turn out a nice painting and gain understanding of the basic techniques you need for realistic painting. Yes, working in layers often looks weird in the middle of the process, but it's an easy technique for great results.
This lesson concentrates on basic skills in painting trees - mixing greens, working in layers, painting dark values that glow with soft edges.
Included is a description of the different blues and yellows and how to use them to make the perfect green every time.
If you like to paint landscapes or nature, this lesson is for you!
Your Instructor
I'm a self taught artist and I love teaching!
My story is simple.
I showed a lot of talent as a child, but my parents discouraged art - a waste of time! I spent my adult life as a nurse and raised a family - pretty busy. I also kept painting.
I wanted my paintings to be realistic, but the watercolor teachers would roll their eyes and tell me, "That's not how you paint watercolors."
Despite the naysayers, I just kept going and taught myself how to paint realism, the way I wanted it, with watercolors. After years of practicing (and lots of bad paintings), I got really good.
I found that not only did I really enjoy teaching other people (and giving them the encouragement I never had), I continued to learn and improve my art through teaching others. It's a win-win!
And so, I set up this site (and my Patreon site) to encourage other people to give watercolor a try. I think it improves their life and that anyone lucky enough to be able to afford the materials and time to dabble in painting is blessed. Whether (or not) you ever turn into a master painter or just gain the admiration of your friends and family.
Watercolor is doable. The more people painting, the better the world will be. Give it a try today!
And yes, this cowboy is a watercolor painting. (Reference photo used with permission by Diana Robinson)