Painting an easy abstract sunrise step-by-step techniques for beginners. Acrylic painting tutorial and guided techniques.

Watch this video that will guide you through 10 different techniques used to create this colorful sunrise abstract. Also, I’ve included several process shots as well as the materials list of products used.

Happy painting!

BALI SUNRISE

Easy abstract sunrise painting

TECHNIQUES

Building "Waves"
Laying Ground
Building Colors
White as Light
Streaking a Sky
Creating Reflection
Unique Tools
Gloss Color Layer
Toning
Illuminating Highlights

10 Beginner Art Techniques Tutorial - How to Paint a Sunrise / Sunset Creating

BALI SUNRISE - FULL TUTORIAL

HOW TO PAINT BALI SUNRISE

First, on a prepped canvas (one coat of dried Titanium White), we apply some texture to get “waves”

Next, we apply a ground color. Working from very light to deeper as we build layers of colors.

Starting with a light pink ground to build on.

Next, when ground has dried, we start apply our underlayers of color and light.

Adding light/white sun and first reflective layer

Adding white sun.png — Working with Titanium White

Sun and reflective

PART TWO

After base colors are laid, we create a “streaked sky”

Then, building more reflection with pure white. We’ll tone this down and go over it with color, but it will read through.

Working with a catalyst tool, I apply gold metallic over texture for a unique effect. I love the catalyst because it applies the acrylics in a unique way.

Then, we go over the painting with a color gloss mixture. This will tone, add color and give the painting a nice luster.

Mixing color gloss.png — Mixing the color gloss

Tone, add depth and luster to the art

This is a mix of Satin Acrylic Medium + Gloss Medium + acrylic colors

Color Gloss Blend:

1/2 Satin Acrylic Glaze

1/2 Gloss Medium (a thicker medium than the glaze)

Drops of color:

Medium Magenta
Cadmium Red Light

Mix together a light version, apply. Then you can decide if you want more depth of color and mix a deeper version and apply over the last.

Wait until the first layer dries completely, then you can apply as many layers of this as you like, but we aware if it gets too thick or deep, the under layers of light, reflection, gold will disappear. You want them to shine through the top layer of color which is why we use a glaze/gloss medium. This will build transparent layers vs. using full 100% strength acrylics.