Beginner-friendly method for drawing a nativity scene

To do the mountains, use a 3/4 flat brush. Start with the lightest gray colors. To make the light gray, mix titanium white and neutral gray value 5 (about equal amounts).

Carving a Nativity Scene

In this short lesson, I’ll cover the process for carving a simple line drawing of a Nativity Scene.

• Lesson Contents: template, tool list, and photo in single episode
• Type of Wood: Basswood
• Size: 6″w x 6″h x 1/16″d
• Tool List: 6mm v-chisel
• Level: Basic

= More Lessons at the Basic Skill Level =

Livestream #21 – Carving a Cube & Sphere

Livestream #17 – Antique Finishing Techniques

Materials

Yield: One 11 x 14 Painting

Learn to paint a Nativity silhouette Painting step by step. Paint a bright blue night sky with the star of Bethlehem. Then use the traceable to transfer the silhouette outline to the painting. .

Prep Time 2 minutes
Active Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 2 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Materials

• Acrylic Paints
• 11 x 14 canvas
• Brushes
• Water
• Traceable
• Graphite Transfer Paper
• Pen

Colors

• Phthalo Blue
• Medium Magenta
• Titanium White
• Primary Yellow
• Mars Black
• Neutral Gray Value 5

Brushes

• 3/4 Flat
• 4 Round
• 10/0 Liner

Instructions

1. Paint a thin layer of water onto the canvas
2. Add a coat of Phthalo Blue over the water with a 3/4 Flat brush. Paint left and right half way down the canvas.
3. Blend in titanium white with the Phthalo blue and go the rest of the way down.
4. Let the painting dry.
5. Paint the rays in the sky starting with phthalo blue and gradually getting lighter to white.
6. Add a few strokes of medium magenta to the rays.
7. Paint little dots of stars.
8. Paint the star of Bethlehem at the top middle with titanium white and primary yellow.
9. Paint the mountains starting from the furthest mountain and using neutral gray mixed with titanium white to make a light gray color. Then paint the darker shades of mountains with the darkest on the bottom being mars black.
10. Let the painting dry.
11. Transfer the silhouette to the painting using a sheet of graphite paper.
12. Paint the silhouette with slightly watered down mars black.
13. Paint palm trees on the left and right.
14. Paint a white glow around baby Jesus and some highlight lines on Mary and Joseph as well as the trees and Inn.

© Tracie Kiernan All Rights Reserved
Project Type: Acrylic Painting / Category: Christmas