Earth day painting

1. Transfer drawing to canvas

- Shade the back of the printed outline

- Place it in the centre of the canvas and tape it in place

- Trace over the lines to transfer the shapes

- Remove the paper and go back over the lines to darken them for visibility

2. Base painting (acrylic)

- Mix Cerulean Blue with Titanium White

- Paint this mix across the entire background

- Keep the layer smooth and even

- This base will help create the glowing atmosphere later

3. Paint the ocean (acrylic)

- Mix Phthalo Blue with Titanium White, creating light and medium blue tones

- Add in Acrylic Retarder to keep the paint workable for blending

- Paint around the edge of the globe with the lighter mix

- Gradually darken the colour towards earth’s middle, using straight Phthalo Blue toward the centre

4. Painting land (acrylic)

- Mix light earthy tones using Burnt Umber, Yellow Ochre, Lemon Yellow, and Titanium White

- Paint the land shapes starting with lighter tones

- Vary the land colours, blending for soft transitions

- Adjust warmth using Burnt Sienna where needed

- Keep edges soft and slightly blended into the ocean

5. Flora painting (acrylic)

- Mix Sap Green with Titanium White and a touch of Crimson

- Dab and stipple the paint onto land areas

- Vary the tones to create depth and make it look more realistic

- Keep the texture loose to suggest natural landscape

6. How to paint clouds (oil)

- Switch to oil paints for softer blending and longer drying times

- Mix Titanium White with a touch of Light Blue

- Add a touch of Amber Gel for smoother application

- Paint a soft ring around the edge of the globe to create the atmosphere

- Using loose strokes, dab on cloud shapes across the surface

7. Soft blending

- Use a dry fan brush to gently blend the cloud edges

- Soften transitions to create a light, airy feel

- Dry blending helps the clouds look more wispy

8. Space background (oil)

- Mix Lamp Black with Amber Gel medium

- Paint around the globe carefully

- Fill in the remaining background with black

- Use a foam brush or sponge to lift some paint near the edge of the globe

9. Painting glow

- Blend the lifted area outward to create a soft halo

- Take your time to keep the transition smooth

- This step helps the Earth feel like it’s glowing in dark space

10. Final touches

- Touch up any areas where colours need strengthening

- Adjust contrast ad needed to make the globe stand out

- Step back and check the overall balance

If you like this painting or decide to give it a go, let us know on socials by tagging @montmarteart or using #montmarteart. You can find the materials down below or in the materials tab on this page.

Happy Earth Day! 🌏