8884 Aspen Scene
Jerry Yarnell – Inspiration of Painting PBS Television Series

Golden aspen trees line a winding mountain road beneath a clear blue sky, creating a bright and inviting landscape filled with depth and vibrant color. Distant mountains rise softly in the background while sunlight filters through the tall trunks and glowing foliage. In this beginner level acrylic painting lesson, Jerry guides you step-by-step through creating this scenic mountain setting in a 105 minute session on an 18x24 canvas.

You’ll learn how to build a strong composition using the curving road to lead the viewer’s eye through the painting, while balancing the rows of aspens and distant mountains to create structure and depth. Jerry demonstrates how to block in major shapes first, then refine them with controlled brushwork to maintain clarity and perspective.

Special focus is given to painting aspen trunks and foliage using layered color and dabbing techniques to create the appearance of glowing leaves and soft texture. You’ll also explore how to paint atmospheric mountains and foreground shadows that help give the scene dimension and realism.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll gain confidence in painting tree-lined landscapes, handling light and perspective, and creating depth through layering and atmospheric effects. This is an excellent project for beginners looking to strengthen their skills while producing a bold and visually engaging mountain landscape.