Jan 062012
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I used to paint a lot back in the day. Then I graduated from high school. It was never something I set out to stop doing, but like many things it was put on the back burner and eventually placed in a cool-whip tub wayyyyy back in the fridge and forgotten about; or at least ignored for fear of terrible smells. I kept my paints, mostly because I am the craft poster child for hoarders. A few weeks about I saw a GIANT canvas (4 ft x 2 ft) for really cheap at Hobby Lobby. Gotta love their ridiculous sales. I’ve been in the market for some GIANT wall art so bought it. Or maybe I just bought it because this house won’t get it’s self on TV (don’t judge, I don’t really want to be on hoarders).
Any way, this was supposed to be a tutorial but my original method didn’t work and my hands got covered in paint so I stopped picking up the camera. I know, I’m a terrible blogger.
I did the whole thing in one day, took about 4 hours, including drying time.
I started out with a whole lotta white, some deep blue, some cerulean blue and a tich of black for that steely grey winter sky look. I used acrylic paint that I had on hand, Americana and Apple Barrel brands. The dark blue and black are ‘gloss’ finishes but there isn’t enough of them to make it glossy, the finish is matte.
Mix the white and light blue and start slapping it down, use the water to make the paint go farther. I didn’t want a really saturated blue. Add in some dark blue and a teeeeeeeny bit of black to add dimension. Use the water to make all the colors blend (one again, I’m a terrible blogger and can think of no better way to explain that). The colors should be subtle but not flat.
Now comes the fun part. The trees.
Start the tree by making some random lines. Really, don’t over think it.
Fill in the ‘trunk’ with a medium brown. Add shading with dark browns and highlight with mustard. Use water to thin the paint for blending. Remember that the trees start with few thick lines and branch out into many thin lines. Try to keep going up and out. Cross lines from time to time. Keep it random and natural looking. Step back every now and then, don’t get lost in the details.
The finished project. So what if my painting is bigger than my dining room table? Ignore the mess, I do. Alfie has turned into a confetti maker so I have shredded paper everywhere.
Close up on the shading and branching.
He would sleep like this for hours if I’d let him.
Shared:
I love this…I may do it on a whole wall! Thanks for the inspiration. I’m a new follower, cause I love new blog friends. Stop by anytime, Lori
lovely painting
Love the painting….and the pooch is ADORABLE!
Love you winter trees and you doggie!
Debbie
I really love the blue you chose for your sky – blue is my favorite color, and I feel that it really draws the eye to your branches! PS – I Facebooked and Tweeted this post – Excellent job!
Ann @ Suburban Prairie Homemaker
This is fantastic!
That blue is just awesome & vibrant!
~Cathy
Beautiful painting!!!
Check out my blog too:
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.com/
That is awesome! Wasnt that alot of paint? I have some smaller canvas and was just thinking about painting them. I love trees, I might have to do a seasonal look to the 4 I have. But they are much smaller than yours. Mine are 16×20 I think.
It also looks like we have a similar table & chairs. I love that.
What a beautiful painting. I love how deep the blue is and the trees are perfect. Thank you so much for linking to our Link It Up Party.
Ooo! I love painting but I don’t do it very often. I’m seriously impressed! This is much larger than I’ve ever thought to work but I think you just inspired me to try!
Love the painting! so pretty and your dog is cracking me up. He looks way to comfy:> Thanks for linking up and sharing!
http://www.blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com
Beautiful, I love this soooo much. You are very talented. Thank you for joining us at the Thursday Favorites Hop. Wishing you a happy weekend! xo P.S. Have you entered the Pink Poodle giveaway yet?
That’s really pretty! Great job! And you do make it look simple enough that even a non-painter could give it a go. Thanks for sharing at Shine On Fridays…hope you’ll be back again next week!
Very pretty, Alecia! What a nice idea for quick and easy artwork! Thanks for hsaring your idea of Potpourri Friday!
That’s beautiful! Thanks for the tutorial.
So beautiful. I love the subtle shading you add.
Too cute!
AND your puppy is ADORABLE! My little Pomeranian likes to sit on me like that
Thanks for sharing on Fresh Fridays!
Your painting is beautiful. I did Art in high school but never mastered it. Your post makes me want to have a go at it again!:) Have a wonderful week.
Hey!! I LOVE this!! I did the same thing on 3 of my son’s walls before he was born and now he is turning 4 in a few weeks and it looks like I am going to have to paint over them!! It is making me VERY sad!!!
THANKS for being the 1st person to link up to my Sleepy Sunday Linky Party!!
I am your newest follower and would lOVE for you to come follow me!! I am a HUGE animal lover too!!
Your painting looks beautiful! I love how you did the sky.
Dee
Beautiful painting! I’m spotty with my picture taking, too. Sometimes it’s because my hands are goopy, and sometimes it’s just because I’m in a rhythm and forget to take pictures. The worst is when I’m taking pics of something I’m cooking and I remember to take pics of every step, but the hungry hoarde of boys in the house pounces before I get the “money shot.”
I thought you described your process really well. Thanks for sharing.
Omg! You did great. I am working on a tree over my bed and have been looking at as many trees as I can to get it right. It’s a little intimidating, thanks for sharing your tips!I am your newest follower!
That is very gorgeous. So peaceful!
Wonderful painting! I love drawing trees. I have a bunny too. I’m going to follow you since you like many of the things I like, I look forward to an awesome blog!
That’s gorgeous…I think you’re underestimating yourself…you said anyone could do it…yeah…I don’t think I could…but I’m gonna try!
I’m glad your’e still painting. Love your doggy. Pat
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I’m happy for you to be painting again. You obviously are very talented. I would love for you to share your talent at my Show & Tell party. It kicks off weekly on Wednesdays at mrshinesclass.wordpress.com
Beautiful painting and love your doggy too
Thanks for joining us at Creative Mondays 
You are soooo talented. This is gorgeous and I love the colors. Thanks for sharing with my newbie party. Please add my button to be visible on your post. Thanks.
I am duly impressed with your talent!
… and now I’m going to put out some shameful self-promotion — so sorry I really do hate it when it happens to me — but I’ve joined up with a few new bloggers on an “Imagine the Impossibilities” Challenge that culminates in a multi-blog link party on Jan. 31. I hope you can join us!
Linda
Such a pretty painting! I’m gonna have to try this out :0) Visiting from Lisa’s Linky List
This is beautiful. I so need it for my living room. I have ahuge wall that has nothing on it. Am I brave enough to do it? I don’t know, I would have to work up a lot of courage. Saw you at Debbdoo’s. I am following you, hope to get inspired. Thanks.
I so love it, it is quite simply beautiful. But I swear i would never attempt this because I cannot drawn. So I will just admire the work you do, and wish! I don’t have the courage to even try. Really like the colors! Thanks for sharing your creativeness over at Sunday’s Best!
Wow!! You did such a great job on your painting!! I love trees as well as tree artwork, so I definitely want to try this!! I’m your newest follower by the way!!
Thanks for linking this post up to Lisa’s Linky List #2!!
~Lisa
Lisa’s Craft Blog
I will definitely have to try this! It’s fantastic!
That is really gorgeous. I love the colors and your trees are so perfect. You are so talented!! I’m so glad you linked up this week!
Gorgeous! Taking a painting class in on my bucket list. Seeing your art, makes me want to move it up a few notches.
These are gorgeous! I used to think I was a decent painter, but now I’ve realized that, while I enjoy it, I’m not that great. I still do it, because it’s fun, but you make it look so easy! Thanks for visiting my blog
Thank you for sharing your painting and encouragement at the Kiss & Tell party over at my place!
I love original artwork! Your winter scene is beautiful! And your puppy is cutie-cute-cute!
I’m inspired!
I just love how your artwork turned out. Its lovely!
Vanessa
Love it! So glad you’re painting again too. (I’m kinda on a mission with that;) The blues are perfect for the trees too. And, hey, I just went to HobLob for the 1st time. I know! But we just got one. Luckily the Hubs was w/me so I couldn’t stay too long, ha!
Dropping by from Funky Junk’s party.
Hi! Visiting from tt&j. Love your painting! I wish I could whip something up that awesome.
I would love for you to share this at my Friday link party if you get a chance
Beautifully done and of course I love the blues. I also love painting and trees are a favorite subject. I posted about it awhile back. I hope you keep painting and enjoying every minute of it.