When you are painting a nature scene, it is helpful to follow a few techniques that will make the elements of the painting feel more realistic. If you are painting a scene showing a bamboo tree, you can make the bamboo look more life-like by painting the leaves with varying shades of color to add contrast and depth. This will make the leaves appear as if there is light shining though.
Coat the blade of a paint knife with a roll of dark green acrylic paint.
Slide the painted end of the knife 3 inches along a canvas board. This will be the stem of the bamboo leaf.
Paint an arch of dark green acrylic paint extending from one end of the line to the other. Fill in the space between the arch and the line with dark green paint.
Paint an arch of light green acrylic paint extending from the opposite end of the line to the other. Fill in the space between the arch and the line with light green paint. Painting one side of the leaf darker than the other will make the bamboo leaf look more realistic.
Repeat this process until you have painted as many bamboo leaves as you want on your canvas.
