How To Paint Landscapes: EPISODE SIX - New Zealand Mountain Scenes

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn effective techniques for painting landscapes in oils, specifically focusing on New Zealand mountain scenes. Andrew Tischler shares valuable insights into creating engaging compositions, utilizing color combinations, and mastering brush techniques to add depth to your paintings. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, these steps will enhance your landscape painting skills.

Step 1: Creating an Engaging Composition

• Select Your Reference: Choose a photo of a New Zealand mountain scene that inspires you. Consider the elements you want to include, such as mountains, trees, and sky.
• Sketch the Outline: Lightly sketch the main elements of your composition on your canvas. Use simple shapes to block out the mountains, foreground, and background.
• Focus on Balance: Ensure your composition feels balanced. Place larger elements like mountains in a way that they do not overpower smaller details like trees or clouds.

Step 2: Choosing Your Color Palette

• Select Colors: Start with a basic palette that includes:
  • Earth tones (browns, ochres)
  • Greens for foliage
  • Blues for sky and water
  • Whites and grays for highlights and shadows
• Mixing Colors: Create quick color combinations to find the right shades for your scene.
  • For distant mountains, mix blue with a touch of gray for a muted effect.
  • For foreground elements, use brighter, more saturated colors.

Step 3: Painting Depth

• Layering Techniques: Begin with the background, working your way forward. This helps create a sense of depth.
• Use Atmospheric Perspective: Apply lighter and cooler colors for distant mountains to simulate the effects of distance. Use warmer and darker colors for elements in the foreground.
• Add Details Gradually: Start with broad strokes and gradually add details to the foreground elements, maintaining focus on the overall composition.

Step 4: Mastering Brush Techniques

• Choose the Right Brushes: Use a variety of brushes for different textures:
  • Flat brushes for broad strokes and backgrounds
  • Round brushes for details and finer lines
• Experiment with Techniques:
  • Dry brushing: Lightly drag a dry brush across the surface for texture.
  • Scumbling: Apply a thin layer of color over a dry layer to create a soft effect.

Step 5: Final Touches

• Highlights and Shadows: Add final highlights using a small brush for areas that catch light, like mountain peaks or water reflections. Incorporate shadows to enhance depth.
• Evaluate Your Work: Step back and assess your painting. Make adjustments to color and detail as necessary to achieve a balanced composition.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you will be able to create beautiful oil paintings of New Zealand mountain landscapes. Remember to focus on composition, color choices, depth, and brush techniques to elevate your artwork. As you practice, consider exploring different landscape subjects and styles to further develop your skills. Happy painting!