Day 20: Paint a Cornucopia (Horn of Plenty)

Hello! We’re almost ready to paint our fall fruit centerpiece, but we need something to put the fruit in! So here’s a simple cornucopia tutorial for ya.

Even if you’re not a huge fan of cornucopia (I’m not), this will be fun because you’ll see how to make something appear rounded just by shading and highlighting.

Oh! Another thing . . . I used paint colors that we’ll be using in the other fruit and leaves – trying to keep the paint purchases down to a minimum. Yeah, I can’t stand some paint projects that require more of an investment than if you just bought something readymade!

Paint Colors (all by Plaid, as usual)

• Burnt Umber (dark brown)
• Antique Gold (deep yellow)
• Lemonade (light yellow)
• Raw Sienna (caramel brown)

I had someone email me, asking about the size of brushes I use. I haven’t mentioned that too often before because it really shouldn’t matter with my tutorials. I try and use the largest brush I can and still have control. But use what you’ve got. I don’t use fancy-schmancy artist brushes.

Actually, I get mine at Walmart usually (by Plaid too) or at Michael’s with a 40% coupon.

I usually get a variety of flat brushes and a couple of liners. That’s it. There are painting instructors who use filberts, rounds, rakes, etc. Not me. That’s cool for them and their students. But all of my tutorials are geared for any kind of brush you have.

Plus, it would depend on how big or small you make your painting as to what size to use. That’s why I just say use the biggest brush you feel comfortable with.

Okay, let’s get started . . .

After you draw or transfer your pattern, outline the basic shape with Raw Sienna. It just helps to give your eye a pattern to follow.

I started out painting the shaded curves with Raw Sienna, but then I realized this would just be a wasted step. So don’t do that.

{Don’tcha love tutorials that tell you what not to do?}

No, I decided to use underpainting with this tute. That’s where I lay down the darkest color first and work my way up.

When I first started painting murals for customers – aka someone other than family & friends – Hubs used to always warn me to not leave the painting looking yucky. Translation: the entire wall mural with just dark tones.

I have to admit, it can look kinda scary and some of the customers questioned their own sanity in paying me to paint on the walls in their home.

But that was also back when it took me sometimes weeks to finish a mural. So I’d just work in little sections so as not to scare the homeowners. Which wound up taking me even more time!

Although I did get to know their doggies really well .

Now, years later, I just tell them, “Hey, it’s gonna look kinda scary for a day. Don’t worry about it.” And I’m generally out of there in a couple of days.

Now, where was I? Oh year, the tutorial. That’s right – this is a painting lesson, isn’t it? Be generous with the Lemonade (light yellow). You might need two coats to get a nice bright spot.

And notice how all the Lemonade areas kind of line up? That’s gonna make the rounded appearance.

Yeah, I kinda lost the highlights after I topcoated with Raw Sienna.

Especially on the rim, so I added some more to make the rim stand out.

And then I repainted some little Lemonade slivers on the body of the ‘basket’.

Makes a big difference, doesn’t it?

Try it and let me know how you like it. If it’s too thick, just add some more Raw Sienna.

Here’s a pattern for you if you don’t feel like drawing one yourself.

You could also just paint the whole thing brown and forget the shading and highlighting. But where’s the fun in that?

Ok, tomorrow we’ll start adding the fruit in and in a couple of days you’ll be ready for Thanksgiving. No rush though. But just imagine how good it’d feel to be a few weeks ahead of the game!