I wanted a different perspective to paint that tree, a bit as if you were taking a nap there. I also was thinking about yarn bombing and these were my inspirations for the colors on the branches as well as for the title, this and the fact that the intricate branches are making the wind go around them in complicated motions as if they were knitting the wind.

You might also like: Zentangle trees : Rainforest Imagery

Here are the steps you can take to paint a mixed media tree

I start by making a detailed drawing the tree on canvas with pencil.

Then I am painting a first layer of diluted red acrylic ink, I am making sure that the drawing is still visible under the successive layers of paint.

I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.

​

Golden High Flow Acrylics

Incredibly flexible, Golden High Flow Acrylics have an ink-like consistency that lends itself to a wide range of techniques painting, drawing, staining, glazing, inking, hand-lettering, airbrushing, and more. – High Flow Colors, Set of 10

I am then painting a second layer of yellow acrylic paint with some blue in the lower part, then I paint a third layer of white acrylic. Working with layers let me try different options and allows me to build complex colors.

To make sure I can still see my drawing, I am painting the tree with green acrylic, that will act as an under-painting.

For the next step, I am painting the tree with a mix of China Ink and red liquid acrylic. I spray some parts with water or alcohol to add some textural effect on the branches.

I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.

Speedball Super Black Waterproof India Ink “Super black” means its blackness will be very permanent and fadeless. Contains 100% carbon black pigment. Also free-flowing, non-clogging, and waterproof.

Red liquid acrylic ink can be mixed with Indian ink.

I paint another layer of white acrylic on the background working around the branches to clean up a bit the painting as I have to much ink smudging.

I then fill out the background by scribbling with a pencil on all the mixed media tree background.

I want to try different colour combinations with dry pastels. The advantage of trying ideas with pastels is that you can fix the pastel if you like the result and you can just wash it off if you want to try a different idea.

I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.

Prismacolor NuPastel Color Sticks NuPastels have a rich, creamy texture that blends and shades easily. Frequently used in advertising layouts, NuPastels are stronger than ordinary soft pastels, which means less breakage and easier cleanup. Use them to create broad strokes and fine lines.

I find the tree a bit too dark so I am trying different combinations with dry pastels. I feel free to test ideas as I can just wash off the pastel if I don’t like the result.

Fixing the pastels with workable fixative will darken most of the pastels colors. You can also paint over the pastel with acrylic if you find it has darkened too much with the fixative.

I am adding colors on the branches with acrylic paints.

The finished painting

Knitting the Wind,
Mixed media on canvas
48 x 48 inches

Original is sold, click here to buy a print

Here is a stop motion movie showing the painting process: