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 surrounds
the positive space and is equally important.
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! |
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