Step-by-step painting guide

The French Alps

A step-by-step painting guide by Richard Robinson

Learn to paint the beautiful French Alps, step by step. Ah, the French Alps in Summer! Magnifique! The hills are alive with the sound of cowbells and all we’re missing is Heidi frolicking in the meadows. Follow me step by step as I show you the techniques I use to paint this beautiful alpine scene quickly and easily in acrylics. Painting a diffuse light effect, vast atmospheric depth, dynamic brushwork and inventing convincing rocks are all demonstrated in the video. Enjoy!

This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.

See the full lesson
"The French Alps" 13 x 13" Acrylic on Canvas by Richard Robinson
"The French Alps" 13 x 13" Acrylic on Canvas by Richard Robinson

Step 11Adding Color Variations to Trees

Why is the orange color in the tree not pure orange?

The orange color in the tree is not pure because blue has been added to tone it down. This creates a more subtle and realistic effect, rather than a vibrant and potentially overpowering orange. For more insights on color mixing and creating natural tones, you can explore the full lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/62-The-French-Alps.

What is the purpose of adding a darker brown as the shadow side?

The darker brown is used as the shadow side to create contrast and depth in the painting. By painting the shadow into the lights, it reverses the approach used on other trees, adding interest and variety. To learn more about creating depth with shadows, visit the lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/62-The-French-Alps.

How does thinking about trees in terms of a family help in painting them?

Thinking about trees in terms of a family helps to consider their size, spacing, and shape cohesively. It also aids in organizing light and dark shapes, ensuring that not all trees have the same lighting, which adds realism and variety. For a deeper understanding of this concept, check out the lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/62-The-French-Alps.

Why is it important to look for big shapes with darks and lights?

Looking for big shapes with darks and lights helps to simplify the composition and create a strong visual impact. It allows the painter to focus on the overall structure and balance of the painting. For more techniques on achieving this, explore the full lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/62-The-French-Alps.

What variations are added to the trees in the background?

A bluish dark grey is added to the base of the trees in the background to create subtle variations. This helps to differentiate the trees and adds depth to the scene. To see how these variations enhance the painting, visit the lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/62-The-French-Alps.

How does the tree on the right differ in color variation?

The tree on the right is painted with a greener hue, providing a subtle variation that distinguishes it from the other trees. This variation adds interest and helps to create a more dynamic composition. For more on using color variations effectively, see the lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/62-The-French-Alps.

Summary & key takeaways

Reflecting on our journey through painting the French Alps, I aimed to capture the breathtaking scene that I encountered on my hike. The vastness of the landscape was challenging, yet rewarding, as we focused on the intricate details of the rocks and trees against the majestic backdrop of the mountains. By using acrylics, we embraced the quick-drying nature of the medium, allowing us to layer and build depth effectively.

Throughout this lesson, I encouraged you to see beyond the photograph, to interpret and express the scene with your own artistic flair. By grouping elements like trees and rocks into familial clusters, we created a harmonious composition that guides the viewer's eye through the painting. The sky, with its smooth gradation and subtle transitions, set the tone for the entire piece, while the mountains provided a solid foundation for our landscape.

I hope you take away the importance of working quickly with acrylics, using tools like stay wet palettes and retarders to manage drying times. Remember, the key to a successful painting lies in the details—suggesting rather than defining, and allowing the viewer's imagination to fill in the gaps. I look forward to seeing how you apply these techniques in your future works.

Points to remember
  • Start with the background and work forward to manage drying time.
  • Use a brush to sketch elements, not a pencil.
  • Imagine trees and rocks as a family group to organize your composition.
  • Create a smooth sky gradation to convey vastness.
  • Feel free to deviate from the photograph for creative expression.
  • Use a stay wet palette to keep acrylics workable longer.
  • Add depth with color shifts—darker and greener in the foreground, lighter and bluer in the distance.
  • Suggest details rather than painting them precisely.