I am thrilled to share with you a painting journey inspired by my recent travels around the Greek islands, which led me to create a piece reminiscent of the stunning Cinque Terre on the Italian coast. This scene, painted in acrylics, captures the essence of the vibrant, glowing light and the charming architecture that characterizes this beautiful location. In this chapter, we will delve into creating this captivating scene, focusing on achieving a luminous glow and mastering a variety of brushwork techniques. Whether you prefer acrylics or oils, I will guide you through each step, offering insights on how to adapt the techniques for both mediums. This lesson is perfect for those who have some experience and are eager to expand their skills. Additionally, I will introduce you to the exciting world of using artificial intelligence to boost your creativity. Although PaintyBot is no longer active, you can use OpenArt.ai to generate inspiring images in minutes, saving you hours of searching. Join me as we explore these innovative tools and techniques to bring the enchanting Cinque Terre to life on canvas.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
"Cinque Terre" 30x30" Acrylic on Canvas by Richard Robinson
Step 6Painting the Distant Hills
Prepare Your Palette and Brushes
Set up your palette with Ultramarine Blue, Cad Red, Brilliant Magenta, Yellow Ochre, Arillamide Yellow, Mid Toning Grey, and Titanium White. Use long synthetic flats, a size 12 long angle brush, and a quarter-inch long sword or dagger brush from Rosemary & Co.
Mix the Base Color for Distant Hills
Identify the closest tube color, which is blue, and adjust it to be warmer by adding red. Lighten the mix with white or grey to achieve a distant, muted tone. Keep your mix simple with just two colors plus white for easy remixing.
Apply the Base Color
Spray the canvas lightly with water. Use a ruler or masking tape to paint a straight horizontal line for the horizon. Apply the base color quickly to achieve wet-on-wet blending. Add variation to the hill's profile to avoid a man-made appearance.
Create Sun Glow Effects
Mix a lighter, warmer color by adding red and white to your base. Work on the side of the initial color to achieve a subtle variation. Apply this while the base is still wet to enhance the sun glow effect.
Enhance the Sunlight and Water Glow
Extend the glowing effect by blending into the base color. Add a rough edge to the hill to suggest trees. Enhance the glow near the water by adding yellow, red, and white for a punchier effect.
Pro tipKeep your color mixes simple with just two colors plus white for easy remixing.
Embark on your painting journey by harnessing the power of digital tools like PaintyBot to design your ideal composition. Start with an inspiring image and refine it through creative prompts and model selections to craft a unique vision of Cinque Terre. Once your digital design is ready, translate it onto a 30 by 30 inch canvas, laying down a glowing base coat to set the stage for your masterpiece.
As you bring the sky and ocean to life, focus on smooth transitions and vibrant colors. Use a variety of brush strokes and color mixes to capture the dynamic interplay of light and shadow. Pay attention to the drying properties of acrylics, ensuring your colors remain vibrant and true to your vision. Gradually build up the landscape, adding depth and interest with each layer.
Complete your painting by adding the intricate details of the Cinque Terre architecture and lush foliage. Use a combination of broad strokes and fine details to convey the essence of the scene, capturing the unique charm of the coastal village. Balance warm and cool tones, and use highlights to bring your painting to life, ensuring a cohesive and captivating final piece.
Points to remember
Keep image dimensions under 1000 pixels on any side for faster generation.
Experiment with different models and styles to find a composition that resonates with your artistic vision.
Use a large brush to soften the base coat for a smooth transition.
Acrylics dry darker than when wet, so paint slightly lighter than desired.
Maintain a wet surface to ensure smooth blending and avoid rough brushwork.
Keep your color mixes simple with just two colors plus white for easy remixing.
Use a square brush for building details to naturally create square shapes.
Use gestural, soft-edged strokes to build the larger forms of the foliage.
