In this easy autumn reflection painting, we’ll create a tranquil scene featuring a canal framed by the beauty of turning fall. With muted greens, oranges, and yellows, the landscape captures the early stages of fall, where leaves are beginning to change color and float gently on the water.
This visual tutorial will guide you step-by-step with images to help you paint this vibrant scene, making it perfect for beginners who want to explore reflections and the soft hues of early autumn.
If you love autumn paintings, check out Fall Foliages.
Fall Foliages: Mastering Autumn Trees & Landscapes
“The autumn road paintings were my favorite part of the class. Learning to use a palette knife for the fallen leaves opened up a whole new world of texture for me!” — Emily S
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MATERIALS YOU NEED
Acrylic Colors:
- Lemon Yellow
- Cadmium yellow
- Sap green
- Orange
- Black
- White
Surface:
- I painted on an A6 watercolor paper.
Brushes:
- I used a size 4 filbert brush which is perfect for this canvas size. If you are painting bigger, then switch to a size that is proportionate with your painting surface.
- Size 1 & 2 round brush
Get my exact supply list for acrylic paintings, with helpful color mixing tips that you can start implementing right away!
painting steps:
- Sketch the canal by outlining the land on both sides and marking where the water will flow.
- Block in the muted greens, yellows, and oranges to represent the trees and foliage along the canal. Keep the colors soft to show the transition of the season.
- Paint the canal water, adding subtle reflections of the foliage above. Use a small brush to blend the greens and yellows with the water’s surface.
- Add floating leaves on the canal, using layers of yellow, green, and orange. Let the leaves scatter naturally, adding depth and movement to the water.
- Enhance the foliage with layers of color, refining the mix of green, yellow, and orange to give the scene a vibrant but peaceful autumn feel.
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If you liked this visual tutorial, you’ll love the in-depth guidance in my Fall Foliages masterclass. I offer a complete voiceover demonstration of this autumn reflection painting, walking you through every step with detailed guidance on layering acrylics, painting reflections, and creating the rich textures of autumn foliage.
Whether you’re just starting or want to refine your skills, the masterclass offers full tutorials that will help you master the beauty of fall.
This easy autumn reflection painting is a great way to capture the soft beauty of early fall. The muted greens, yellows, and oranges in the foliage create a sense of transition, making this a calming yet colorful scene to paint.
If you enjoyed this visual tutorial, there’s much more to explore in my Fall Foliages masterclass, where we dive deeper into autumn landscapes and teach you how to capture the essence of the season with confidence.
Pin the below image in your Pinterest board for future reference.
