Simple Fall Art…even a “Terrible Artist” Can Do This!

Stephanie Donica
by Stephanie Donica
3 Materials
$10
45 Minutes
Easy

Step by step instructions to make this painting! Line art is trending and this has the perfect subtle fall vibes!

I used an old canvas found in storage but this would look beautiful done on paper and framed!

You will need:

•A canvas (any size you’d like)

OR

•Acrylic paper (and a frame for a finished look)

•White chalk

•Small paint brush

•Medium sized paint brush

•Acrylic craft paints: Black and Tan


To get an organic looking shape, I think it’s best to go in with paint right away. If you’re not comfortable with that, you can use the chalk to lightly sketch your background shape. (A pencil is ok, but if it is too sharp or you press too hard, you may be able to see pencil lines or indents from the pencil, even after erasing.) I prefer a slightly dull piece of chalk and a dry rag or paper towel if you need to erase.


I used paint to make a rough outline of the background shape I wanted and went from there.

Using the medium brush, fill in the shape with the tan paint. (I actually used a mix of white and brown because I already had that at home.) If you’re not satisfied with the shape, go around the edge again with your brush until you’re happy with how it looks. Don’t worry if it takes a few tries! I tweaked the shape several times because I just kept seeing a potato🤣 but I don’t see that now that it’s done lol

Using the chalk, lightly sketch the design on the background. It’s easy to erase if you make a mistake!

When you’re satisfied with the design, use the small paint brush to create two lines with the black paint. Cross the second over the first to create sort of an X shape. It’s ok if they’re not perfect. That’s not the look we’re going for.


The BEST TIP I have!—Resting your hand on the canvas to will give you more control of the brush. My hands are always shaky so this is absolutely necessary for me. If it doesn’t feel right for you that’s ok, but give it a try first! Just make sure you don’t lie your hand in wet paint!😉

Paint two more black lines. You can see here that I had them cross through the first two lines.

Add some long, thin leaves. You can place them here or wherever you think they look good.

To paint the little grains of wheat, I found it’s easiest to work upside down and go from the stem up. Paint two grains like this and repeat 5-7 times.

Add one little grain at the top to finish each one.

Admire your new, low cost (or in my case free) art!!

This is how I displayed it last year. There are actually 3 other diys in seen in this photo! I’ll be writing a blog post for at least one of them—make sure to hit that follow button so you don’t miss it!


If you’d like to follow on Instagram as well, you’ll see projects ranging from this to entire furniture builds!

instagram.com/mypr0jectpage

Resources for this project:
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Frequently asked questions
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  1 question
  • Patty Patty on Sep 10, 2021

    Wouldn't it be easier to use a paint marker? Or even a sharp tip sharpie?

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  • Marlene Marlene on Sep 10, 2021

    Lovely. I think even I could copy this and I'm definitely not an artist!

    • Stephanie Donica Stephanie Donica on Sep 10, 2021

      That’s great! I figured I would go into detail to hopefully give everyone the confidence to give it a shot!

  • 17335038 17335038 on Sep 21, 2021

    For anyone who has not tried making wall art before, I would suggest that you try a 'practice piece' first on regular paper (which is much less expensive than canvas board) with the same brushes that you will be using, to establish what is the number and size of the stems you want to have on your final picture.


    Doing this first should help dispel the feeling that you are going to 'mess up' your good piece, as you will then have your practice copy as a visual guide.

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