8841 Squirrel on Rock
Jerry Yarnell – Inspiration of Painting PBS Television Series

This charming wildlife scene features a curious squirrel perched atop a sunlit rock, framed by a textured tree trunk and delicate branches against a soft, atmospheric sky. In this beginner level acrylic painting lesson, Jerry guides you step-by-step through creating this peaceful nature study in a 90 minute session on an 18x24 canvas, combining simple composition with expressive detail.

You’ll learn how to construct and paint the squirrel with basic shapes, building up form through layering and controlled brushwork to suggest fur texture without overworking fine details. Jerry demonstrates how to achieve natural color variations in the animal, along with subtle highlights and shadows that bring the subject to life.

The lesson also focuses on creating realistic rock textures and tree bark using dry brushing and value contrast, giving the scene a strong sense of structure and surface detail. You’ll explore how to paint branches and surrounding elements with clean, confident strokes while maintaining a soft, unobtrusive background.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll gain confidence in painting wildlife subjects, understanding texture, and balancing detail with simplicity. This is an excellent project for beginners looking to expand their skills into animal painting while still working within a manageable and rewarding composition.