Autumn Trees Watercolour Tutorial | Loose Brushwork & Wet-in-Wet Techniques | Beginner Friendly, by Stillness in Colour on YouTube. 19 min 31 s.
- Video length
- 19 min 31 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Sketch a quick value plan on scrap paper. Block in the light and dark areas with pencil so you know where the trees and ground sit before you paint.
Tape or hold your watercolour paper flat. Mix a pale wash of yellow and orange for the sky and brush it on loosely, leaving some paper white.
While the sky is still damp, drop in warmer orange and red tones near the horizon. Let the colours bleed together wet-in-wet for a soft autumn glow.
Paint the distant tree line with a light, watery mix of yellow and orange. Keep the shapes loose and avoid outlining each tree.
Add the nearer trees with stronger mixes of orange, red and brown. Load a round brush and dab the foliage in clusters rather than single leaves.
Paint the trunks and branches with a thin brown mix. Use the tip of the brush and keep the lines broken and uneven.
Lay a soft wash of muted green and brown across the ground. Leave gaps so the paper shows through and the scene stays light.
Let the painting dry fully. Then check the darks and add a few deeper touches to the foliage and foreground for contrast.
If a trunk or area turns too dark, let it dry and lift or soften it. Cover the spot with a little opaque gouache in a lighter tone.
Tips and common mistakes
Work wet-in-wet only while the paper is still damp, or the colours will turn muddy.
Test your colour mixes on scrap paper before touching the painting.
Keep the brushwork loose and resist going back over wet paint.
Let each layer dry before adding darks so you keep clean edges.
Questions
Do I need special watercolour paper?
Use watercolour paper rather than thin drawing paper. It handles the water and lets you work wet-in-wet without buckling.
What if my tree trunk gets too dark?
Let it dry, then lift some colour with a damp brush or cover it with a little light gouache. Mistakes are easy to fix in watercolour.
Can I do this as a complete beginner?
Yes. The value sketch and simple washes keep it manageable. Focus on the process rather than a perfect result.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
