How to Paint a Pineapple

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Things You'll Need

  • Canvas

  • Fine-grit sandpaper

  • Tack cloth

  • Water-based varnish

  • Sponge brush

  • Latex paint (optional)

  • Acrylic paint

  • Chalk

  • Medium yellow acrylic paint

  • Flat brush

  • Deep gold acrylic paint

  • Dry brush

  • Paper towel

  • Light yellow acrylic paint

  • Medium green acrylic paint

  • Round brush

  • Dark green acrylic paint

  • Sea sponge

  • Golden brown acrylic paint

  • Medium brown acrylic paint

  • Liner brush

A textured pineapple allows the artist to practice many brush strokes.

A pineapple is a suitable subject for the beginning artist to paint as its various textures allow the artist to practice several brush strokes and techniques. A pineapple painting can spruce up a kitchen's decor or can be given to a friend as a unique gift. However, using proper techniques and tools can mean the difference between a realistic pineapple and a less believable one.

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Step 1

Sand a canvas lightly with fine-grit sandpaper and remove the dust with a tack cloth. Apply one coat of Water-based varnish to the canvas using a sponge brush. Allow the varnish to dry according to the manufacturer's specifications. Apply two coats of latex or acrylic paint in the color of your choice to the canvas using a sponge roller.

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Step 2

Draw an oval vertically on the lower half of the canvas using chalk. Draw large, thin leaves coming out of the top of the oval for the pineapple leaves. This creates the basic shape for painting the pineapple. Use a picture or photo of a pineapple to reference when drawing and painting.

Step 3

Paint the base of the pineapple in a medium yellow acrylic paint with a flat brush. Apply two coats of paint, allowing each to dry thoroughly. Apply a small amount of deep gold acrylic paint to a dry brush; remove any excess paint with a paper towel. Brush the paint onto the bottom of the pineapple and up the left-hand side, following the line of the pineapple. Use light yellow acrylic paint and a dry brush to create highlights on the top and right, upper side of the pineapple. This will give the pineapple a more realistic, three dimensional look.

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Step 4

Paint the thick, pointed leaves of the pineapple in a medium green using a round brush. Apply two coats of paint. Apply the same green paint used on the leaves to a dry brush; remove excess paint with a paper towel. Press the paint onto the very top of the pineapple, where the leaves meet the body. continue to paint about one quarter of the way down the pineapple to give it a realistic tone.

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Step 5

Dip one side of a moistened flat brush into dark green acrylic paint. Create shadows on the leaves by brushing the paint onto the areas of the leaves that need to appear darker. Allow the paint to dry.

Step 6

Moisten a sea sponge and dip it into golden brown acrylic paint; remove any excess paint by dabbing the sponge on a paper plate. Lightly sponge the golden brown paint onto the body of the pineapple to create a textured look.

Step 7

Apply medium brown paint to a liner brush and paint the pineapple's diamondlike sections onto the body. Allow the paint to dry.

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