How to Paint a Picture From Start to Finish

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Paint a Picture From Start to Finish

How to Paint a Picture From Start to Finish

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Step 1 of 50

Use the paper bag to sand you're canvas to keep your brushes from tearing up. DON'T USE SAND PAPAER, because then it will take all of the texture of the canvas off. :)

Step 2 of 50
This is something simple I traces on there. It doesn't have to be perfect right now. A pattern isn't even required, but it makes it a lot easier. Don't make your pencil too dark.

This is something simple I traces on there. It doesn't have to be perfect right now. A pattern isn't even required, but it makes it a lot easier. Don't make your pencil too dark.

Step 3 of 50

Once your finished "sanding" and sketching, now to prepare your pallet! The colors can be completely up to you. It's your painting.

Step 4 of 50
From left to right is  Titanium White, Cad Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Blue

From left to right is Titanium White, Cad Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Blue

Step 5 of 50
Background brush

Background brush

Step 6 of 50
Fan brush

Fan brush

Step 7 of 50
Small detail brush

Small detail brush

Step 8 of 50
Twiggy liner

Twiggy liner

Step 9 of 50
Spotter brush. It's a small brush for small detail.

Spotter brush. It's a small brush for small detail.

Step 10 of 50

First: the sky

Step 11 of 50

Mix your blue and white together and add a few hairs of burnt sienna.

Step 12 of 50

Start adding it to ur canvas. I decided the color was a bit too dark so I added white.

Step 13 of 50

I'm not cleaning my brush. Just keep adding white as I go down. Btw, I already had to put more white out because I used it all. That's okay

Step 14 of 50

I switched to my fan brush and went over it with no paint in my brush to pick up the excess paint. Then cleaned my brushes

Step 15 of 50

Notice I covered up the trees and part of the deer and mountains. Don't be afraid to touch them. Go over the trees. They are gonna look different at the end anyway.

Step 16 of 50

Next the distant mountains

Step 17 of 50

Start filling in your mountains with the white, a touch of burnt sienna, and some yellow ochre. Remember, they are distant, so they need to be light!

Step 18 of 50
On the side I added a few hairs of blue and white. I also added some Liquiglaze to thin it.

On the side I added a few hairs of blue and white. I also added some Liquiglaze to thin it.

Step 19 of 50
Then added highlight on the left side of the rock.when your satisfied, clean ur brush.

Then added highlight on the left side of the rock.when your satisfied, clean ur brush.

Step 20 of 50

Next is the grass

Step 21 of 50
For this step, I took some of my mountain color, then I just added little bits of every color to get a greenish color

For this step, I took some of my mountain color, then I just added little bits of every color to get a greenish color

Step 22 of 50
At this point my iPhone wouldn't take video anymore :*(  . I'm just pulling down the color. It needs to be darker in the front and lighter in the back. I used the fan brush.

At this point my iPhone wouldn't take video anymore :*( . I'm just pulling down the color. It needs to be darker in the front and lighter in the back. I used the fan brush.

Step 23 of 50
Once you have your color blocked in, wipe your brush off on a paper towel or what ever you use.

Once you have your color blocked in, wipe your brush off on a paper towel or what ever you use.

Step 24 of 50
I mixed the blue and burnt sienna to get a dark color. Load the paint on the top of the brush and using flicking down motions.

I mixed the blue and burnt sienna to get a dark color. Load the paint on the top of the brush and using flicking down motions.

Step 25 of 50
Use the corner of the fan brush, not the whole thing or u will get smiles faces all over. Smiley faces are good, but not in the grass. Keep them on Facebook! ;)

Use the corner of the fan brush, not the whole thing or u will get smiles faces all over. Smiley faces are good, but not in the grass. Keep them on Facebook! ;)

Step 26 of 50

If your starting to get frustrated, remember: this is oil paint. Go watch some tv for a few minutes, drink coffee, or something. Painting is supposed to be fun! :)

Step 27 of 50
Once your pretty well satisfied, clean ur brush.

Once your pretty well satisfied, clean ur brush.

Step 28 of 50

Let's do the focal point. The deer.

Step 29 of 50
I did burnt sienna and white and a touch of blue until I got a color I liked.

I did burnt sienna and white and a touch of blue until I got a color I liked.

Step 30 of 50
Now I'm just blocking in color :)

Now I'm just blocking in color :)

Step 31 of 50
Add small highlights and get the color u want.

Add small highlights and get the color u want.

Step 32 of 50
I chose a darker color for the older deer.

I chose a darker color for the older deer.

Step 33 of 50
I spend a good 10 minutes on this back leg to look how I wanted it.  I ended up having to turn my painting to I could get the angle I wanted.

I spend a good 10 minutes on this back leg to look how I wanted it. I ended up having to turn my painting to I could get the angle I wanted.

Step 34 of 50

At this time, I stopped and went to watch the rain.

Step 35 of 50
Now I'm going back to do touch ups and detail on the little deer

Now I'm going back to do touch ups and detail on the little deer

Step 36 of 50
I darkened him a little and added white to his ears. Now to ad spots with the spotter!

I darkened him a little and added white to his ears. Now to ad spots with the spotter!

Step 37 of 50
Step 38 of 50
I put in the horns with the deer color and white. I used the twiggy liner and thinned the paint to about like ink. I also put on little bits of lighter color so it isn't the same all over.

I put in the horns with the deer color and white. I used the twiggy liner and thinned the paint to about like ink. I also put on little bits of lighter color so it isn't the same all over.

Step 39 of 50

Now to do the tree, bird and set the deer in the ground.

Step 40 of 50
Burnt umber and blue and lots of thinner to do the trees.

Burnt umber and blue and lots of thinner to do the trees.

Step 41 of 50
Hold the brush back here.

Hold the brush back here.

Step 42 of 50
I'm going to let this dry, then add the Bird and work on the bark of the tree. I have another guide that shows you how to save your paint.

I'm going to let this dry, then add the Bird and work on the bark of the tree. I have another guide that shows you how to save your paint.

Step 43 of 50

Clean all of your brushes, take a break and allow it to dry completely before we move on! :)

Step 44 of 50

Once dry, get out your blue and burnt sienna mix it to a dark color and add a Little Liquiglaze or Liquitex.

Step 45 of 50
I added the bird.

I added the bird.

Step 46 of 50
Added highlights on the bark to make it look round. I just used my twiggy liner with white and yellow ochre. Make the paint like ink. Just use short little strokes for the bark.

Added highlights on the bark to make it look round. I just used my twiggy liner with white and yellow ochre. Make the paint like ink. Just use short little strokes for the bark.

Step 47 of 50
I'm satisfied with it! Don't forget your signature! :) I would use colors that have good contrast and that are already in your painting. I just use white. Grab your twiggy liner and thin your white.

I'm satisfied with it! Don't forget your signature! :) I would use colors that have good contrast and that are already in your painting. I just use white. Grab your twiggy liner and thin your white.

Step 48 of 50
The finished product! :)

The finished product! :)

Step 49 of 50

I hope you had fun! :) before I do another guide, I would like to have at least 150-200 followers on here or on twitter. I want to see your painting, so send them to me on twitter.

Step 50 of 50

Don't forget to follow me! Here and on twitter! @AaronLoyd96 P.s. I like comments! ;)

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

Ellington, Missouri
twitter.com/aaronloyd96
I am an artist. I paint with oils. I enjoy SFX Makeup. I want to be on @FaceOffSyfy Follow me On twitter - @AaronLoyd96

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11 Comments
Supplies

Oil paint

Burnt Sienna

Ultramarine Blue

Titanium White

Cadmium Yellow

Yellow Ochre

One or Two Fan Brushes

A Twiggy Liner

Size 12 Background Brush

Small detail brush

A size 15/0 spotter brush

Brown paper bag

8X10 stretched canvas

(paint thinner, and extra stuff you may want)

Your pallet of course! ;)

Liquiglaze or Liquitex

jameguilin guilin

very good

jameguilin guilin 6 days ago

Aaron Loyd - Artist

K, iPad snapguide app is out I can make more guides!

(author) 5 months ago

Elmo K.S

Aww... Ok

Elmo K.S 9 months ago

Aaron Loyd - Artist

Elmo k.s, I don't have an iPhone anymore. I switched to android. My next guide might be a while, depending on whenever an app comes for android. O:-)

(author) 9 months ago

Elmo K.S

"Do my g" was supposed to be "and"

Elmo K.S 9 months ago

Elmo K.S

This is an amazing work of art and the guide was very clear, thank you do my g, please do make more guides!

Elmo K.S 9 months ago

Aaron Loyd - Artist

Thanks! :)

(author) 9 months ago

Katie Rotheram

This is excellent, ur a very talented person :)

Katie Rotheram 9 months ago

Ashley Rae

Beautiful

Ashley Rae 9 months ago

Aaron Loyd - Artist

Any pictures of what?

(author) 9 months ago

Katie Cravens

do you have any pictures? thanks!

Katie Cravens 9 months ago

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