How To Paint Flames

Painting flames can sometimes seem daunting...after all, there are so many colors and so much intensity in actual flames that it can seem impossible to capture with something as static as paint. It is possible to create flames in your art that you can be proud of, however; it's simply a matter of knowing what to do and taking your time so that you don't make mistakes.

1. When attempting to paint something as intense as fire, it's important that you use good quality paints and painting tools. The higher your paint quality is, the more likely you are to be able to capture the rich colors that you're looking for.
2. Remember that flames and fire are generally abstract in their shapes, yet tend to lend themselves to a teardrop shape at the same time. Lightly sketch your flames with pencil, erasing and revising until you have the basic shape the way that you want it.
3. Choose your colors carefully. A large part of the color of the flames will be yellow and orange, but don't be afraid to add a few other colors as well. Depending upon the size of the flame you're painting, you might also include small amounts of blue, green, and possibly even purple toward the bottom of the center.
4. When you begin painting, use a small-tipped brush and make short, fluid strokes. Allow the strokes to curve with your sketch, beginning at the center and working your way out.
5. As you reach the edge of your flames, add a little paint thinner to your paint so that you can create a wash effect that is slightly more transparent. This can help to give the illusion of light that would come from actual fire.
6. Use more thinner to create a much more transparent wash of either white or a light yellow to go around the outside of your flames. Utilizing a larger brush, cast a little more "light" around the fire.
7. With a fine-tipped brush, add embers and little sparks of flame around the edges in reds and yellows.
8. Using a fine-tipped brush dipped in a little bit of paint thinner, make the lower edge of the flames a bit more jagged and thin... this helps to add to the illusion of the flame burning whatever is below it, instead of simply setting on top of it. You may wish to add a little bit of black to the area as well (also thinned, to make it appear to be spreading as the fire burns.)