The last of the Golden leaves are hanging on for dear life against Storm Abigail.
But what better way to spend an afternoon, especially when it's purely horrid outdoors.
Painting bright Golden colours in an Autumn woodland scene, pop some music on, have the kettle ready and away we go.
Stage One
Tape down a piece of Clairefontaine pastelamat white pastel paper onto a board.
Add some watercolour washes, not too wet, less water and you seem to have a touch more control.
Splashes of Red, Yellow and Blue, let them merge together to create beautiful colours.
Leave to dry or speed it up with an hairdryer.
Stage Two
The Background, I find is a good place to start when adding pastels. Think cool colours, tonal values and less detail. Leave those bright colours for the foreground trees and path. Composition needs a little thought, I like to see a way through a painting. The light at the end of a tunnel, a fence dancing along the side of a field or maybe a couple out walking their dog. The choice is yours.
Stage Three
A liitle blending in places to get rid of too much detail, I find a colour shaper ideal for this. Pastel pencils could also help to indicate thin branches along the way. Shadows will help to show the time of day and a bright area bathed in sunshine always makes my heart sing! A few more leaves floating down before the storms appear and the painting will begin to come to life
Golden Leaves painted in Pastels
If you fancy learning the joys of pastel painting why not sign up for my online course.
Containing six projects and step by step instructions, a material list and personal feedback.
A perfect gift for the want to be artist