Acrylic Painting Step by Step: Create Incredible Landscapes
A course by Maru GodasIllustrator
A course by Maru Godas, Illustrator
Learn to paint vibrant landscapes with acrylics and experiment with the use of color in nature
Painting with acrylics is the perfect way to transfer what you see and feel to the canvas. For visual artist Maru Godàs, it's also an opportunity to find her signature style by painting in real time on a mountainside or from the comfort of her own balcony.
In this course, begin a step by step journey with acrylic techniques for landscape painting. Work with layering to create different textures and turn your sketches into true works of art. You may also want to check out her other course: Pictorial Sketchbook with Gouache
What will you learn in this online course?
22 lessons & 30 downloads
Nature as a source of inspiration
8 minutes, 34 seconds
Sketch materials
5 minutes, 51 seconds
Color and emotional landscapes: the Rothko charts
19 minutes, 15 seconds
There is a jungle in my brush!
14 minutes, 45 seconds
Nature textures: skies, seas and mountains 1
14 minutes, 18 seconds
Nature textures: skies, seas and mountains 2
14 minutes, 42 seconds
The nature of the abstract: synthesis of color and form
12 minutes, 37 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by getting to know Maru Godàs and her work a little better. She tells you about why she ended up following the path of painting, why nature is so important to her, her main influences, as well as a few book recommendations that might help get your creative juices flowing.
Maru introduces the two main course topics. Learn to depict landscapes in your own way, see which materials to use, and explore the advantages of acrylic paints. Then, reflect on how to turn your sketches into paintings.
Brushes at the ready, it's time to explore what acrylics can do for your artwork! Play with transparency levels, do some color exercises, and learn to deconstruct and synthesize elements you find in nature.
Plan your final project, working both outside and inside using photos. Maru discusses key landscape painting concepts and gives you some tips on how to achieve depth and a correct visual reading.
Once you've chosen a sketch it's time to start working on canvas! Identify the key areas of your painting moving from the center towards the foreground. Finish up by discovering how to add the finishing touches using an opaque color palette, before seeing how to dry and varnish your final piece.
What is this course's project?
Do an acrylic painting on canvas with nature as the central figure.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Any lovers of drawing and painting who want to use their favorite landscapes to explore further. This course is also of interest to illustrators, designers, and anyone wanting to improve their acrylic technique.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is needed for this course, just come ready to learn and express your love of nature.
In terms of materials, you need a set of acrylic paints, a landscape cotton canvas or stretched canvas, a range of synthetic paintbrushes, a sketchbook, and a pencil and/or charcoal.
Reviews
- 2 months ago
Como todos los cursos de Maru, increíble. No pinto con acrílico, pero igual aprendí un montón sobre composición, texturas, colores, de todo. Maru es súper creativa y me encanta su estilo y su forma tan sencilla y dulce de explicar todo.
- 2 months ago
Un curso en el que se muestra de forma práctica como utilizar el medio acrílico con todas sus posibilidades, recomendable.
- 2 months ago
Un curso muy hermoso.
- 2 months ago
Maru Godas is a great teacher. She's vibrant and energetic, just like her painting style. She also goes a lot more in depth than a lot of the other course, and explains the "why" behind the "what". I would definitely recommend her courses.
- 3 months ago
Un curso fantástico!
Since then, she has published several books with her work and illustrations in magazines for various big names such as La Caixa, La Vanguardia, and RACC. She currently combines her commissions with teaching, leading workshops and courses on urban sketching and illustration around the world. She enjoys sharing her discoveries with her students and, above all, encouraging them to try new things.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Pure love: nature and art
- Nature as a source of inspiration
- Painting outdoors or in the studio?
- Sketch materials
- Acrylic paint: types and mediums
- Papers, fabrics, brushes and palettes
- U3
Brush, paint, action!
- Color and emotional landscapes: the Rothko charts
- There is a jungle in my brush!
- Nature textures: skies, seas and mountains 1
- Nature textures: skies, seas and mountains 2
- Nature textures: skies, seas and mountains 3
- The nature of the abstract: synthesis of color and form
- U4
En plein air: planning our work of art
- Composition and depth tricks
- Sketches, Color Studies, and Scene Creation
- U5
Painting our landscape
- Transfer to canvas: fitting and backgrounds 1
- Transfer to canvas: fitting and backgrounds 2
- Points of interest and half plane 1
- Points of interest and half plane 2
- Points of interest and half plane 3
- Close-ups, details and finishes 1
- Close-ups, details and finishes 2
- FP
Final project
- From notebook to canvas: artistic illustration
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FAQs
You’ll learn acrylic painting techniques to create modern landscapes, from sketching outdoors to experimenting with large formats, color use, composition, textures, and recycled materials, drawing inspiration from nature and contemporary artists.
The course is aimed at an intermediate level, perfect if you already have basic drawing or painting skills and want to deepen your knowledge of acrylic techniques and stylized landscape creation.
You’ll need acrylic paints, a variety of brushes, a sketchbook or canvas, gesso, a palette, mediums, recycled materials, pencils, a brush pen, and a portable kit for outdoor painting. A detailed list is recommended and available in the course.
You’ll explore key differences: acrylics allow for durable layers and textures, vibrant colors, and quick drying, while watercolor and gouache offer transparency and soft blending. You’ll learn how to combine and adapt techniques from each.
Yes, the course includes techniques for sketching and painting landscapes directly in nature, strategies for observation, choosing suitable materials, and tackling challenges of working outside the studio.
You’ll do quick sketches, acrylic abstraction, collage, modern composition, color studies, natural textures, large-format experiments, and exercises inspired by artists like Wes Anderson, Hogni, and Basquiat.
Yes, you can start with basic materials. The course offers alternatives and tips to adapt techniques and make the most of recycled or budget-friendly supplies.