8913 Red River Covered Bridge
Jerry Yarnell – Inspiration of Painting PBS Television Series

A vibrant mountain river rushes past a charming red covered bridge, set against lush green hills and distant forested slopes under a softly lit sky. In this beginner level acrylic painting lesson, Jerry walks you step-by-step through creating this scenic landscape in a 68 minute session on an 18x24 canvas, capturing both the movement of water and the warmth of this classic rural structure.

You’ll learn how to construct and paint the covered bridge with proper perspective, including its structure, roofline, and reflections in the water. Jerry demonstrates how to block in major shapes first, then refine them with controlled brushwork to maintain a strong, balanced composition.

Special focus is given to painting flowing water using layered strokes and value changes to suggest motion and sparkle. You’ll also explore how to paint rocks, grasses, and surrounding foliage with varied textures that bring richness and depth to the scene.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll gain confidence in painting landscapes with both structure and movement, combining architectural elements with natural surroundings. This is an excellent project for beginners looking to strengthen their skills while creating a lively and visually engaging river scene.