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Learn How to Paint a Cat and Moon

Description

In this tutorial, you will learn how to paint an easy composition of a cat, or two cats, sitting on a branch and staring at a moon. Paint some swirls in the sky to add to the whimsical effect and also learn how to splatter paint your stars on the canvas!

Level/ Duration: 

Level: Very Easy/ First Painting, Duration 1-2 Hours

Materials:

• Acrylic Paint (I used Apple Barrel Craft Paint but give a suggested color if you’re using other paint)
• Paint Colors:
  • Flag Red (Cad Red Medium)
  • Jack O Lantern Orange (Cad Orange Hue)
  • Yellow (Cad Yellow Medium)
  • Bright Blue (Primary Blue)
  • Bimini Blue (Bright Aqua Green)
  • White (Titanium White)
  • Black (Mars Black)
• 16″ x 20″ Canvas or whatever size you want! (I originally painted this on 16×20 but it works on any size) 
• Brushes:
  • 1″ Flat Brush
  • 1″ Angle Brush
  • Medium Round Brush (#3 or similar size)
• 9″ Paper plate to trace the moon
• Palette or paper plate for palette

Traceable (Optional):

• Download Two Cats PDF
• Download One Cat PDF

Directions At A Glance:

Video:

Step By Step Pictures

 1. Trace The Moon

First I started with a blank 16″ x 20″ canvas.

I traced an 9″ paper plate with a pencil. This circle represents the moon. (Can you believe how simple this is so far!?)

2. Paint The Sky

I mixed equal parts “bimini blue” and white paint together. Then I painted the turquoise-white ring around the moon. I used a 1″ flat brush to paint this ring. The ring is about 1″ thick (doesn’t have to be exact).

Next I painted a “bimini blue” (not mixed with anything) ring around the first ring. I blended the two colors together using a wet brush. You’ll see in the video exactly how I did this!

Then I painted another ring with “bright blue”. I also used a wet brush to blend the colors together.

Then I filled the rest of the canvas in (the corners) with bright blue. I kept my strokes going in a circle.

3. Paint Some Moonbeams

Then I used a 1/4″ flat brush to paint arc lines around the moon. I did this with white paint. To make the white more translucent, dip it in the water more.

4. Paint The Tree

Then I painted the tree with black paint. To do this, I used a 1″ angle brush. I recommend practicing your tree first on a separate paper until you feel comfortable painting it on the canvas.

5. Paint Some Leaves

Then I used a small round brush to paint the fall leaves. Use the tip of the brush to dot in red, yellow and orange leaves. You don’t have to clean your brush off between colors.

6. Draw & Paint The Cat (Or Cats)

Then I drew the cat with pencil. (Pencil will erase on the canvas.)

Paint the cat in black using a small round brush.

Alternatively you can paint two cats siting on a branch!

7. Paint Swirls & Stars In The Sky

Using a small round brush and some light bimini blue mixed with white paint color, paint some swirls in the sky. Also, to paint stars, flick your paintbrush with white paint to create a splatter paint effect.

Finished!

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