How to Paint a Landscape
You can learn how to paint a landscape. Take your sketch pad and pencil and take a walk by the creek or through the woods. It’s fun to see what you find to paint.
To paint a landscape, you will need charcoal or pencil to compose the values in your sketch book. First divide your objects to make a pleasing composition. you can move trees and other objects around until you find a correct balance. Use your eraser to change the scene until you like it. About four values is all you need, although you can add more if you like. The sky will usually be lightest, buildings where the light hits will also be light. Your second value might be trees, and your darkest value will be shade. Never start your painting until your composition and values are satisfying to the eye.
By toning the canvas with color you can set the mood for the finished painting. Select a color that sets the tone for your lighting conditions and apply a thin wash with a paper towel or a rag dipped in turpentine and paint. You can add a grid to your sketch and your canvas if you like. If your scene is complicated it will be easier to use a grid. Four equal parts will usually work unless you are using a large canvas. If you use a 4 part grid you will have a cross line in the middle and can be careful to avoid the bull’s eye. Don’t place anything of importance at that intersection. You can use a small brush to draw your scene on the canvas.
Now block in the value pattern. If your light-dark pattern is not right nothing will save the painting. Begin by working in your darkest value and working toward the light. Leave your paint thin to allow the tone to show through. To go lighter use the tip of a rag to wipe away the toning color. If you want lighter still, dip the corner of a rag in turpentine and wipe down to the canvas. You can use a rag with a swirling motion to block in grass and foliage, or you can use tissue, large brush, or cheesecloth. When you have all the values painted in, turn your painting upside down, on it’s side, and study the painting in a mirror to be sure the composition values are consistent. If there is a problem you will see it immediately. Now let it dry completely and you will have a nice surface on which to work.
For most landscapes it’s the sky that sets the mood. The sky controls the degree of light, warmth,and color intensity. For this reason begin with the sky, placing the warm colors first and moving on to cool. If you come up with a muddy color on your canvas, don’t try to fix it. Scrape it off and start over. Don’t develop the lower edge of the sky and don’t leave a hard edge where the sky meets landscape. Lightly drag a little of the sky down into the landscape. It’s a subtle way to begin working sky colors into the landscape. You can play the lightest light against the darkest darks, put warm colors beside cools, or bright colors against dull ones. Control the contrasts so nothing interferes with the vocal point.
Keep the light source in mind and establish light and dark, indicate any trunks and branches that were lost in painting in the color harmony, then move on to smaller limbs. Suggest a few saplings in the foreground. Guide the visitor along to the vocal point. Try to think in numbers of three, five, seven, nine, eleven. Vary the number of openings in a building. Consider your negative space. Vary spaces between objects. Clearly define a few details in selected areas. Above all have fun painting, be open to new ideas, and get out there and paint.
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33 Comments
raman13, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
You wrote an another informative article that impressed me
Keep the good work on
Best Regards
Francois Hagnere, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Very useful tips. And as you know, I love painting!
Thank you dear Ruby.
Take care,
François
Mr Ghaz, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Great post!..this was wonderful article and well presented piece.. nice pics too. I always enjoyed reading of yr stuff..Thanks a lot for this creative stuff.
gianne, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Thiw was one of those pieces that I could never write, but loved reading. You really broke it down and made it informative.
Nice job!
Christine Ramsay, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
An excellent lesson in landscape painting. I never realised there was so much to think about before starting. Good work.
Christine
Priyanka.dk, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Nice. I enjoyed the detailed info and the pics as well!
Rajesh Kumar Ram, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
really very nice tips!
chitragopi, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Good tips. I try my hand in painting now and then and I will try your suggestions.
Jenny Heart, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
I use to love using charcoal for my pictures. It’s been years. Oh those memories.
unown971, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Very interesting article!
Yovita Siswati, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Great tips! I don’t know you are so multi-talented. Thanks for sharing it.
Darla Smith, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
I used to paint a lot of landscapes and seascapes, but haven’t touched a brush in a few years now.
Hugo La Rosa, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
There a some tips that I may use, and I already took notes. I like to paint too, especially with pastels. I appreciate your article a lot!
Best Regards,
Hugo
CHAN LEE PENG, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Excellent post, and you gave a useful instruction too. This will be very helpful. Thanks and have my liked it.
sunshine926, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Great work and very creative piece. I love your butterfly image.
iearnonline, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
nice tips
Beth Suess, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Thank for sharing your tips!
cebuanaeyez, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
very creative!
fishfry aka Elizabeth Figueroa, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Awesome ideas quite creative, Thanx
Mystify, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Excellent article Ruby,many of my friends are artists and I would have to say you did a fine job at instructing how to paint a landscape.Wonderful guide and write!
Lostash, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
I’m not a painter, but if I were, I know where to come for advice!
Ruby Hawk, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Thank you my dear friends. i enjoy painting and I used to do much more than I do now. I spend most of my spare time on Triond, but winter is coming on and I will be outside less and paint more inside.
Gijo George, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Good Article. This article really makes it possible to draw landscape with the techniques described.
Moses Ingram, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Great article, but I’m afraid I’m not a painter. I think one has to be born with the gift.
Shirley Shuler, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
Nice post Ruby, love the pictures!
papaleng, posted this comment on Sep 12th, 2009
Excellent post Ruby, but did you know that painting has never been my talent.
Literati, posted this comment on Sep 12th, 2009
Good advice! (I draw sometimes.)
PR Mace, posted this comment on Sep 12th, 2009
Good tips but I don’t seem to have that talent.
deep blue, posted this comment on Sep 13th, 2009
A very nice article. You inspired me into painting again, Ruby.
Anne Lyken Garner, posted this comment on Sep 13th, 2009
Well written and easy to follow, Ruby. You’re a wonderful teacher.
Kate Smedley, posted this comment on Sep 16th, 2009
Wonderful article Ruby, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, this has really inspired me to try, thank you so much.
CutestPrincess, posted this comment on Oct 2nd, 2009
that’s a great idea…
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ken bultman, posted this comment on Sep 11th, 2009
You’re a good instructor. I liked the late Bob Ross’ philosophy. “There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.” When writer’s block sets in, a little landscape painting can take up the slack.