Landscape Painting Tips For Oil Painters
By Ralph Serpe
There is something quite magical about painting outdoors. I feel
comfortably secluded with nature having an almost spiritual connection
when I paint a landscape. Landscape painting is a passion of mine.
I would like to share some tips and techniques that I have become
accustomed to using over the years.
My first bit of advice - try not to get overwhelmed by the scene
in front of you. I recall when I first began painting landscapes;
I tried to copy everything exactly as I saw it. I tried to squeeze
in every detail, paint every leaf, branch, and blade of grass. You
will go crazy approaching a landscape this way. Try and paint your
own impression of what you see and not a copy of it. Squint your
eyes and see the landscape as a series of shapes, lights and darks,
as opposed to seeing every detail. You can accomplish some amazing
things that you never thought were inside if you just relax and
let the painter inside come to the surface.
Painting on location is certainly a beautiful experience, but remember
that you have to paint quite fast as the lighting will change quickly.
I usually begin my paintings using a larger brush. This prevents
me from focusing on the details and enables me to establish the
major components of the painting. I also take a few shots of the
scene with a digital camera. In the event that I am unable to capture
the scene in one sitting, I now have a reference photo to complete
the painting in my studio.
Try toning your canvas with acrylic paint first before applying
your oil paint. I find starting a landscape with toned
ground makes it easier to judge values. You can also let some of
that underpainting show through in some areas of your painting for
an interesting effect.
Creating the illusion of depth or distance in your paintings can
be accomplished using different techniques. You can adjust your
colors by making them cooler and less intense for the distant objects,
warmer and more intense for closer objects. Reduce the size of objects
as they recede. You can also take away details and sharp edges to
make objects appear more distant.
You should have a focal point, otherwise known as center
of interest in your painting. All other objects in your painting
should not compete with your focal point and should serve to draw
the viewer to your center of interest.
Instead of jumping right for the paint, use a pencil and paper
instead. Drawing is great practice. When I am drawing, I am more
relaxed and intimate with the scene. I am training myself to see
the various lights and darks of the scene without the use of color.
Bring only those items that you know you will need and use. When
you focus too much of your time on lugging around unwanted materials,
it takes away from the enjoyment of what you came there to do, paint!
Painting clouds appears to be one of the bigger challenges for
beginners; I know it was for me. What I mentioned in the beginning
about trying not to paint every detail applies to clouds as well.
Clouds are three-dimensional objects made up of water and ice particles
that reflect light so the color of your clouds will vary depending
on the weather and lighting conditions. Remember general perspective
rules when painting clouds. Clouds closer to you will generally
be more detailed. As they recede into the distance they begin to
lose detail and get smaller in size. Pay special attention to the
edges of the clouds as sharp edges advance while smooth edges recede.
Make your composition as interesting as possible by balancing positive
and negative space in your painting. The negative space is what
surrounds your objects or positive space. The negative space is
just as important as the positive space. Do not neglect the negative
space, but at the same time, do not let it dominate your composition.
I hope this article on landscape painting tips was helpful. Just
relax, let go and most importantly enjoy yourself!
About the Author Ralph Serpe is Webmaster and Cofounder of Creative Spotlite - http://www.creativespotlite.com,
a free educational art and craft community. Visit Creative Spotlite today
for more free art
lessons.
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