Another great technique using the fan brush...this time to create tree branches. … [Read more...]
Making the tree stand out
Bill shows you how he gets his tree to stand out from a background that is the same color as his tree. Avoid the problem of "nothingness" with this simple technique. … [Read more...]
Painting grass
Trees need to be rooted in the ground. Bill does that by painting grass around the base of his trees. Using the 1" foliage brush he pushes the brush into the canvas while bending the bristles. This has a double effect of giving Bill his foliage effect he wants while pushing the paint deep into the canvas so he can paint on top of it with a thicker layer of paint. … [Read more...]
Highlighting the tree
Bill's method of highlighting trees is so very simple, yet effective. He adds perspective and shape to the tree with an "open" 1" foliage brush. … [Read more...]
Adding the tree trunk
Before Bill highlights his trees he likes to add the tree trunk. This is usually a two step process of marking in the trunk with the palette knife and then "finishing" off the tree trunk by highlighting. This gives the trunk depth and adds roundness and shape to the tree. … [Read more...]
Dog Paw Brush
The difference between a master artist and the "rest of them" is evident in the techniques and tools they use to create their art. Notice how Bill creates the shape of the brush by loading it with enough paint so the brush holds a "dog paw" brush shape in order to create the tree. Many lesser artists use tricks or special tools because they don't have the ability to master the … [Read more...]