AUTUMN GLORYOriginal Design & Acrylic Painting by

Debbie Cotton

Palette: DecoArt Traditions Artist Acrylics:Aquamarine DAT29Carbon Black DAT42Cerulean Blue DAT28Dark Grey Value 3 DAT41Hansa Yellow Medium DAT52Indian Yellow DAT11Light Grey Value 8 DAT39Naphthol Red Light DAT03Naphthol Red DAT02Permanent Alizarin Crimson DAT51Phthalo Blue DAT24Prussian Blue Hue DAT25Titanium White DAT35Vermillion DAT09Yellow Deep DAT10

Suggested Brushes: Royal Langnickel:1” Zen Oval Z73WO¾” Zen Mop Z730M#4, #6 & #8 Zen Filbert Z73T10 Short Shader 4150S10/0 Script Liner R458511” Majestic Glaze Wash R4700

Other Supplies:

DecoArt Traditions Glazing Medium DATM01Decoart Traditions Extender & Blending Medium DATM02Decoart Traditions Satin Varnish DATM0414”x14” stretched canvasPalette knife

Background:Use the 1” Oval brush to paint the background and blend wet on wet. To extend the open working time drop a small amount of the extender & blending medium into the paints listed next and mix thoroughly with the palette knife.

Start with Titanium White and pull the paint from the top middle of the canvas blending down approximately ¾ . Use the dirty brush to pick up a small amount of Aquamarine and blend from the bottom middle of the canvas blending up into the Titanium White. Pick up small amounts of paint at a time as it’s always easier to apply more than it is putting it on too heavy and struggling to blend. As you work to the outside edge of the canvas the colors become darker. Use the dirty brush to blend Cerulean Blue and then Phthalo Blue. Finally deepen the outside edge with a small amount of Prussian Blue Hue. If the colors go on a little streaky this can be good as it will create more interest to your background. Allow to dry.

Use the 1” Glaze Wash to apply a coat of the Glazing Medium. This will provide a protective barrier between paint layers. Thin this medium with 50% water and apply and even coat. Allow to dry.

Trace the pattern and apply guidelines as needed.

Use the 8 Filbert to paint the birch trunks with one coat of Light Grey Value 8. Use the 10/0 Script Liner to paint the branches in the same color.

Leaves: Technique:

Use the 6 Filbert to paint the leaves. Sometimes switch to the 4 Filbert for smaller leaves. Notice the darker leaves are more towards the bottom and outside edge of the canvas reflecting the background. The lighter leaves are painted more in the top middle where the background is lighter. Use the chisel edge of the brush to stroke on leaves. Sometimes use the flat to dab on colors. Try not to over think this just stroke and dab. Using a dirty brush can create interesting colors but clean brush as needed. Also stroking on different colors while the paint is still wet can create interest to your painting.

Start first with Permanent Alizarin Crimson and work into the darker areas. Use the dirty brush and pick up a small amount of Carbon Black to deepen. I still touch on some darker leaves here and there throughout the painting but the most amount is in the darker areas. Next paint Naphthol Red, Indian Yellow and Vermillion. Move around your painting which will help not to paint a repetitive pattern. Add some Yellow Deep, Napthol Red Light, Hansa Yellow Medium and Hansa Yellow Light. Sometimes pick up a small amount of Titanium White with the Hansa Yellow Light.

Birch Bark:Use the 10 Short Shader to loosely float and chisel the bark. Apply more detail to the larger trunks and less to the small ones and branches. Also keep the highlights a little more the inside edge where the background is brighter but do apply a small amount here and there to the outside edge.

Start first with Dark Grey Value 3 and loosely shade here and there. Apply highlights with a brush mix of Light Grey Value 8 plus Titanium White.

Deepen the shading slightly more with Carbon Black. Brighten highlights with Titanium White. Use the 10/0 liner to skip the d darker colors along the bottom of the branches and highlights along the top.

Apply extra cracks and details with lines of Carbon Black.

Apply a few more leaves if needed. Touch a small amount of Carbon Black in between some of the leaves and where they are poking out from behind the birch trunks.

Allow to dry. Apply and even coat of Varnish! Enjoy!

For questions or concerns contact Debbie CottonEmail: simplycotton@xplornet.comwww.simply-cotton.comFacebook: Debbie CottonFacebook: Deb’s Wine & Paint