7 Things to Paint in the Autumn

1 day ago

4 min read

Autumn is my favourite season, both for the weather and the array of warm colours in the landscape. As an artist the inspiration is endless really, but here I will tell you about my seven favourite things to paint.

Trees

The variety of colour across the deciduous tree species in autumn is always a spectacle in the landscape. Some years are better than others, but there are some trees that always give wonderful yellows, reds and oranges. In the UK these are the cherry, maple, sycamore and beech. One of my favourites is the rows of tall poplars where the yellowy top leaves are the last to be shed, with the rest of the tree structure visible. They really stand out in the countryside as they tower above fields and hedgerows.

Lines of Swallows

Bright orange autumn trees beneath power lines, with small birds perched and flying against a pale sky. ©Deborah Burrow — Song of the Swallows V ©Deborah Burrow

A sure sign that autumn is on its way is when swallows line up on telegraph wires in large numbers. In early autumn they gather to rest and keep safe from predators high up on the wires, getting ready to fly south to warmer climates.

I painted a series called, "Song of the Swallows", because when they are lined up on a collection of wires running parallel, it reminded me of sheet music. Having a strong background in music this really appealed to me.

Bracken

Foggy painted woodland with bare white trees, orange undergrowth, a winding pale path, and two black birds in the foreground. ©Deborah Burrow — Blackbird Ramble III ©Deborah Burrow

Bracken is the large fern that grows in swathes in woods, heaths, moors, and across hillsides. It turns from a vibrant green in the summer to a rusty brown in autumn.

I love to paint landscapes with these tall and textured plants, as they create a good scrubby base for autumn trees and wildlife. I tend to enhance their colour using burnt oranges and muted yellows, to create the impression of dried grasses growing among them in the undergrowth.

Fields

Bare white birch trees in a field overlook yellow hills and misty hedgerows in a quiet autumn landscape painting ©Deborah Burrow — The Elegant Birches III ©Deborah Burrow

With Summer passing the fields and meadows become muted and the foliage of wild plants become dried out and bear fruits and berries. There is a kind of wistfulness about the landscape when summer has gone, but there is bounty in the harvest of crops. Most arable land is either plowed or cultivated with seeds for spring, and the colours of the various fields add interest to the landscape. This combination of different colours creates a muted palette for a painting, which can really capture the feel of autumn moving into the colder months.

Animals

Textured painting of bare trees over pale rolling hills and golden grasses, with orange leaves and a calm autumn mood. ©Deborah Burrow — The Heartbeats Underground V ©Deborah Burrow

At this time of year, animals have done their job of rearing their young, and are preparing for winter. Squirrels are busy burying food, and animals such as badgers are gathering dry grass, leaves and bracken for their dens to help keep them warm and dry during the colder months. Foxes grow thicker coats and keep active outdoors all through the colder months, but they will seek shelter to rest from time to time. Deer are more visible as the woods and hedgerows are less dense with foliage, and the males create a bit of drama in the rutting season.

Atmosphere

Woodpecker flies past a huge tree in a foggy field of pale grass and bare branches. ©Deborah Burrow — The Woodpecker ©Deborah Burrow

The air in autumn is blessed with a calm crispness of the cooler air and with the sun lower in the sky, a glorious golden hue begins to make the landscape glow. Mists in the autumn mornings and evenings brings another slice of magic. With the busyness of summer having passed, the landscape becomes tranquil and a place to find quietness for the body, mind and soul. Capturing the essense of this peaceful time is something I love to do, through the use of muted colours with soft light.

Skies

Abstract painting with white brushstrokes over blue, orange, red, and black splatters, creating a squally weather mood. ©Deborah Burrow — The Wind on the Moor ©Deborah Burrow

Abstract painting with swirling white, blue, and red brushstrokes over a dark background, creating a dynamic, wild mood. ©Deborah Burrow — Wild Skies ©Deborah Burrow

As the season changes, the weather can turn unsettled. The sky can change quickly and the clouds can be quite dramatic. Finding ways to paint this requires some creative thinking, and the way I found was to go semi-abstract, using a combination of a brushes, found objects and a painting knives. This method creates random marks that depict movement really well.

Using autumnal colours in the painting process helps the narrative of the season, and using the complementaries (like the blue with orange) creates more drama as the colours compete for attention.

When the sky is blue, it tends to be a brighter, crisper hue because the air is clearer. With the sun lower in the sky, the shadows become longer which can also create drama in the landscape.

An autumn sunset can be beautiful too as the lower angle of the setting sun hits the clouds and land. Coupled with the changing colours of the trees and fields, it can transform the landscape into a dramatic scene.

Alongside the inspiration of landscapes, there are are many other things to paint, such as seedheads, berries and leaves. These have their own charm, and studying these more closely my sketchbooks or as a little still life painting, act as little reminders of the beauty of the countryside in autumn.

Do you have favourite things to paint in the autumn? I'd love to hear from you! Just leave me a comment below.

'Til next month,

Debs