- 1). Search for photographic images of fire, since a real fire is constantly in motion and very difficult to paint into a still picture. Look for a photograph that closely matches the mental image of fire that you have in your mind before beginning your painting. It should act as a guide for form and color reference. Decide on one image.
- 2). Apply with a large paintbrush a few broad strokes of orange paint, by following the outline of the flames from your source photograph. Roughly paint the shape of the fire, followed by filling in areas with this same color. Do this quickly as a way to mimic the speed and energy of flickering flames.
- 3). Add yellow highlights to certain areas of the orange with a smaller brush than the one used for orange paint. This will often be the edges, tips or as in the case of a candle, the center of a flame. You can either blend this color into the orange with a wide, dry brush (a brush without any paint, water or medium), or leave the colors distinct from each other.
- 4). Paint and blend small amounts of red into other areas of the orange on to create different shades of red-orange color using a medium-sized brush. Follow the shapes in your photograph. These areas are the most intensely colored parts of the fire.
- 5). Paint a few brown lines and shapes using a small brush and blend them into the red-orange areas. These sections are the areas of the fire that seem to recede into the background, and will often be the opposite edges of the flames that are painted yellow.
- 6). Outline all the flames with a very dark color, then continue filling in the background. This creates an effective contrast that will make the fire look dramatic and bright. To make this color, mix a small amount of brown and red into black paint.
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