I had the pleasure of filming this lesson in a stunning location above the town of Glenorchy, where the breathtaking landscape offers a perfect canvas for artistic exploration. In this chapter, you'll learn from the talented New Zealand painter John Crump as he guides us through the essential techniques of setting out a landscape on canvas. We'll delve into the art of mixing colors and achieving that coveted 'painterly' brushwork that brings life to your paintings. To start, I recommend choosing a large canvas, like Frederick's Kent double primed pure linen, which provides ample space to capture the grandeur of the scene. With an average-sized brush and thinned down Windsor blue, we’ll broadly lay out the shapes, focusing on accuracy while enhancing elements like the lagoon for added interest. By using brush lines instead of pencil, you'll maintain a clear view of your composition from a distance and save time. This approach not only enhances your painting process but also ensures that your work remains vibrant and engaging throughout. Join me in this rewarding journey as we bring the beauty of Glenorchy to life on canvas.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
Place the palette on your arm to allow mobility and flexibility while painting. This technique enables you to step back and assess your work from a distance, ensuring you're satisfied with the layout and tones.
Use a Dark Coat
Wear a dark coat to prevent light from reflecting off your clothes onto the canvas. A dark coat also hides any paint that may accidentally get on your clothing, making it a practical choice for painting.
Embrace the Traditional Palette Design
Consider using a palette based on the traditional French design with a thumb slot. This design allows you to walk with the palette, providing the flexibility to mix colors in different lighting conditions, such as in the sun or shade.
Pro tipHold your palette to mix colors in varying light conditions, enhancing your painting flexibility.
Embark on your painting journey by selecting a large canvas to give yourself the freedom to express the landscape fully. Begin with broad brush lines using thinned paint to lay out your composition, allowing for easy adjustments and a clear view from a distance. As you progress, focus on establishing a strong focal point, such as the highest mountain, and ensure it has ample clearance from the top of the canvas to avoid a cramped feeling.
As you develop your painting, start by setting the darkest darks to establish depth and strength. Use these as a reference to guide the placement of shadows and highlights, which will define the light in your composition. Emphasize tone and color over detail to create depth and lead the viewer's eye through the scene. Apply paint in thinner layers initially, then build texture with thicker paint to add life and dimension.
Maintain a dynamic composition by choosing a well-off-center focal point and complementing it with additional points of interest. Keep your brushwork confident and expressive, and embrace the freedom to convey your emotions through vibrant colors. As you refine your painting, ensure strong contrast between highlights and shadows to avoid a flat appearance. Cover the canvas quickly to establish a base, and continuously evaluate and adjust your work to capture the natural beauty of the landscape.
Points to remember
Use thinned down paint to broadly lay out your composition.
Ensure mountains have ample clearance from the top of the canvas.
Start with the darkest darks to establish depth and strength.
Use softening tones to create depth and distance.
Apply paint in thinner layers first to allow for easier adjustments.
Limit outdoor painting sessions to three hours to maintain spontaneity.
Express your emotions through confident brushwork and vibrant colors.
Let the initial paint layer tack up slightly before applying new paint.
