More about the demo...

Paint grasses you actually like painting. In this class, wildlife artist Carla Grace shares her simple, volume-first approach to realistic grasses—perfect for scenes where foliage tucks up against an animal’s body (think: a lion resting in the savanna). You’ll learn a clear, five-stage layering method that removes the guesswork, builds depth fast, and keeps the focus on realism rather than fussy, hyper-detail. Take it as far as you want… or keep it simple and effective.

Materials

Surface

• Linen or cotton canvas (smooth surfaces make cleaner lines); panels also work

• Gesso (optional, for extra-smooth prep)

Brushes

• Brights (sizes ~6–8 for main work; size 12 flat for fast toning)

• Filberts (a couple of sizes)

• Round (general detailing)

• Liner or sword liner (optional for fine blades)

Paints (acrylics; professional grade)

• Burnt Umber

• Burnt Sienna

• Raw Sienna

• Yellow Ochre

• Cadmium Yellow (or Hansa Yellow substitute)

• Payne’s Grey

• French Ultramarine

• Fluid Titanium White

Mediums & Extras

• Airbrush medium (or glazing medium/retarder/flow aid—use what you have)

• Wet palette (sponge + membrane)

• Palette knives (small)

• Jar of water, towel/rag

Oil painters: Same color palette and stages apply. Use solvent only for initial lean washes; switch to oil mediums (e.g., alkyd/glazing medium, then linseed/walnut in later “fatter” layers).