Fearless Friday, Autumn Acorns

I haven’t painted with watercolor in months,
it was fun to get them out and play!
I am participating in the Doodlewash November Challenge
The prompt for one day was “Acorn”
I found an image on Pixabay for inspiration

This is a fun fast and loose technique
I started by painting an abstract leaf shape
on my paper with water then dropped color into it

I am painting on a table top easel,
so gravity is making the water puddle at the bottom
I painted a second leaf in a lighter color

Then I brightened the lower leaf with yellow,
letting the paint bleed as it travels through the water

I painted the acorn bottoms, leaving a space open for highlights

Then I painted the acorn caps

Keep in mind when your painting is wet,
any paint that meets a wet area
is going to spread into that area
You can see how the acorn cap on the left
bled into the one on the right because,
impatient me, I didn’t let the paint dry

I also toned the highlight areas of the acorns with yellow
and added stems and a branch
When all the paint was dry
I added detail with a micron .01 fine liner pen

A little splatter to finish

“Autumn Acorns” 5″ x 7″ on mixed media paper

Here’s a tip to keep in mind:
when you don’t have a lot of time to draw or paint,
keep it small
My daily sketch book is 7′ x 10″
and I often do several drawings on one page


I hope you will add some creative time to your day and
Be Fearless!
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Sundays on Silverado Love Your Creativity
What’s for Dinner Between Naps on the Porch
All About Home/ Common Ground Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Turn About Tuesday
Full Plate Thursday Centerpiece Wednesday Creative Crafts
Love your acorns. Squirrels are still scampering around, lost, in my yard, looking for the pin oak.
Oh how sad!! Thanks Rita~
Wish I could be as fearless as you, Jenna. Love this beautiful Fall fruit of the oaks!
Thank you Angie 🍁🍂
The acorns are beautiful, Jenna. The oak trees in my yard have produced a bumper crop. It is fun to watch the squirrels bury them. They are smart little creatures. Happy Friday!
They sure can make a mess! They are always digging in my pots and spilling dirt everywhere!
You made such pretty watercolor sketches Jenna. The leaves and acorns are just perfect for fall and would be even cute as place cards for Thanksgiving. I hope you have a nice weekend.
What a good idea! Thank you Julie!
I love painting acorns and went on quite a stint of it last year. But what I really appreciate about your step outs is that you can see the impact of the water on the paint. I love the freedom you are able to master. I’m not quite so good at that part!
You never know what watercolor is going to do, that’s the fun of it!
Jenna, this is charming. I can’t resist autumn leaves, acorns, nuts, pods, etc. I find my pockets full after a walk along the creek or through the neighborhood. Something about these bits of nature. You’ve captured the feel in this little painting. Just beautiful. Happy Friday!
Thanks so much Sarah!
I love how you combined gravity with art–it works. Some of my favorite things–sunflowers, pine cones, seashells, and…ACORNS. Nobody makes beauty like God does!
Amen!
I love these Acorns! You paint so easily… I enjoy your tutorials very much. I remember bringing home acorns, leaves, moss and forest finds and taking them to my classroom. Sweet memories!
Happy Friday!
Thank you Nancy, how sweet!
I love how your acorns and leaves turned out. The shape of the leaves are fantastic! Have a great weekend!
Thanks Ricki, just a quick fun painting~
Jenna, your acorn painting is beautiful! We have oodles of acorns everywhere. The squirrels have been very busy getting ready for winter. Happy Weekend, sweet friend!
Thank you Shannon, the squirrels are abundant around my house too, and they love to dig in my flower pots and make a mess!
Love your leaves and acorns Jenna. Beautiful fall colors and the perfect amount of ink detail. 🧡🍁
Thanks Patty Anne, ink can really bring a painting to life, can’t it!
I love your fast and loose style with watercolor Jenna! Your signature ‘splatter style’ is the perfect finishing touch. ♥
Splatter is such fun {also a little scary!}