A Walk to the Lake

A step-by-step painting guide by Richard Robinson

In this chapter, I invite you to join me on a virtual walk to Glenorchy, a charming village nestled at the edge of Lake Wakatipu in the South Island of New Zealand. This picturesque spot, located near the popular tourist destination of Queenstown, offers a stunning landscape that is perfect for painting. As we explore this beautiful area, you'll learn to capture the essence of its light-filled scenery in an impressionistic style. We'll focus on the theme of looking through trees to the landscape beyond, a common motif in Glenorchy paintings that adds depth and interest to your work. Using large brushes and generous amounts of paint, I'll guide you step by step through the process of designing an inviting scene and painting with freedom. This lesson is all about embracing the joy of painting outdoors and discovering techniques that bring your canvas to life. Whether you're stuck indoors or simply yearning for a creative escape, this chapter offers a rewarding subject that will enrich your painting journey.

This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.

See the full lesson

A Walk to the Lake - 14x14" Oil on Canvas

Step 13Mid Values and Color Variation

Prepare the Brush

Select a new brush and dip it in walnut oil to ensure smooth application of paint.

Start with Mid Value Greens

Begin with the greens, applying them in mid values to add depth and richness. Gradually build up to the lighter tones.

Enhance Darks with Mid Values

Introduce some mid values into the dark areas to add variation and interest. This will help to spruce up the darker sections.

Adjust Tree Foliage

Move to the tree foliage, using a slightly lighter green. Compare it to the mid value on your palette to ensure it is halfway between black and white.

Add Color Variation

Mix in more yellow ochre and a touch of white for variation. Use big, vigorous strokes to create a patchwork of gestural brushwork.

Pro tipMaintain a broad approach with big strokes to keep the painting dynamic and full of life.

← Step 12: Painting the Darks Step 14: Light Values and Brushwork →

Summary & key takeaways

Embark on your painting journey by thoughtfully composing your scene, drawing inspiration from natural elements like trees and streams to create depth and interest. As you paint, pay attention to the interplay of edges and contrasts, using soft edges to blend elements seamlessly into the background and sharp edges to highlight focal points. Balance warm and cool tones to enhance the vibrancy and depth of your landscape.

Embrace the challenge of painting with time constraints to capture the essence of your scene with dynamic brushwork. Use large brushes to cover your canvas quickly, and don't shy away from vigorous paint application to infuse energy into your work. As you progress, consider the role of trees as natural frames and exaggerate contrasts to create a visually engaging composition.

Refine your painting by adjusting color saturation and intensity to compensate for camera limitations, ensuring your colors remain vibrant yet true to the scene. Pay close attention to the design and placement of elements, using shadows and varied shapes to guide the viewer's eye and maintain interest. Finally, soften any distracting edges and ensure your painting's composition remains dynamic and inviting.

Points to remember

Incorporate trees and natural elements to create depth and interest.
Use soft edges to blend elements into the background.
Set a time limit to encourage quick, expressive brushwork.
Exaggerate warm and cool contrasts to enhance visual dynamics.
Enhance color saturation to compensate for camera limitations.
Find your personal threshold for color intensity to avoid an overwhelming effect.
Vary the heights and widths of shapes to add interest to your painting.
Use a zigzag swish technique to maintain soft, clean edges.