We see landscapes all around us.What if I tell you that you can learn to paint what you see?Katelyn Morse is an expert at it.Learn how to create a gorgeous mountain painting in acrylics in today’s guest post.
Katelyn and I connected with each other on Instagram.We share the same passion for art. I’ve always been curious to know her process of creating.So when i approached her for doing a post for the blog, she jumped right in.And I was beyond thrilled.It’s wonderful to see how two people interpret the same medium.You’ll see how differently Laura of Art and Soul creative co. uses acrylics here.
And now, Katelyn is going to take over the blog.Enjoy!
Hi all! I’m Katelyn, from little Cape Breton island off the coast of Eastern Canada. I have loved illustrating since as long as I can remember and have so much joy creating for myself and others. I’m inspired by the simple things in life that we have been freely given. The intricacy of a flower, the calmness of still water, the strength of the mountains and the trees – I love this world we live in! There is so much beauty all around us and I hope to help people to appreciate and see it. When I’m not painting, you can find me cuddling with my kitty, drinking sweetened tea or hiking around the island looking for more inspiration.
Today I’ll be sharing with you my process of creating a mountain painting in acrylics using a round wooden canvas . I came across a photograph months ago on Pinterest and have been itching to paint it ever since! Finally I sat down to do so.
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First things first – supplies for the mountain painting in acrylics!
I am using a piece of circular cut wood found in my grandparents garage – who knows where it came from!(See similar here)
I am using a wide variety of paintbrushes of different sizes, and a mix of acrylic and toll paints.
I’ve got my fancy top of a yogurt container for my paint pallet, a good cup of tea and away we go!
First, while the original photograph is pulled up on my laptop screen I do a basic sketch of where I want the mountains to be and the trees in pencil.
Next, I start with the sky. I mix together a light blue and a white on my pallet and just have fun with it! Dipping and dabbing away until the sky is covered in pretty blues and white. I use a bigger, stiffer brush for this part in the mountain painting in acrylics.
Now I’m starting the mountains with a deep greyish purple. I always start with the darkest color in whatever I’m painting – and then layer lighter shades on top. So I choose a smaller brush here and outline the top of the mountain line, then shading in some of the darker spots that I see in the original photograph. I try and line up the mountains in the reflection of the water – luckily it’s water.. so it doesn’t have to be perfect!
I then add a little bit of white to the grey shade and start to add some lines in the mountain and lighter parts. Then I take a whitish grey and fill in the snow covered parts! I also notice some brown going on in the lower parts of the mountain, so I go ahead and blend some brown into the bottom as well.
Now for the trees! I take green paint and mix in a little black – a little goes a long way with black! I’m taking my smallest brush so I can make sure I get as much detail as possible. I reference the photograph to see where the smaller and taller trees go in relation to the mountain peaks and start filling in the trees! I’m right handed, so I start on the left side and come across to the right, that way I’m not dragging my wrist in the paint (cry). It’s happened too many times.
Then we go on to match the trees on the bottom! I’m a little more loose with the bottom since it is the water portion!
Now I take a lighter green and do a little shading on each of the trees to give a bit of dimension. I take a brown and add it to the edge of the water. I also take a lighter green and add some bushy plants to the area as well, matching it up on the water while doing so. This is a part where it is nice to have a sense of artistic balance to know where to put things! I don’t lean on the photograph too much, as it would take the fun out of it for me. Instead I just look at the painting and paint where I think things should go! The last detail is to drag across a black line to separate the land from the water.
Then I add my signature subtly on the right and we’re done!
I sure do love the mountains. I’ll be listing this piece on my etsy shop if you enjoyed it!If you’d like to see more of my works and behind the scenes,you can find me on Instagram. Thanks for reading, you are lovely!
About zakkiya @ inkstruck studio
Zakkiya is the creative blogger and founder of Inkstruck Studio. She’s a self taught artist who let go of her architecture profession to pursue her passion in art. Zakkiya likes to write detailed tutorials in watercolor, calligraphy, and hand lettering.
She also teaches watercolor workshops occasionally in Doha where she’s based currently.
Other passions include traveling, photography, and basketball.When she’s not working, you can find her cuddling and running around with her toddler boy.
