In this chapter, we'll explore the captivating scene of 'The Dancing Pine' at Lake Ohau, where the harmony of shapes plays a pivotal role in creating a cohesive painting. As you embark on this artistic journey, you'll learn how to craft dynamic shapes that echo throughout your composition, much like a recurring musical phrase that unifies a symphony. This lesson will guide you through the process of achieving this unity, focusing on the repetition of swishy shapes that mirror the unique character of the pine tree. You'll discover how to manipulate color and shape to bring your painting together, ensuring each element sings in concert with the others. We'll also delve into the practical aspects of painting, such as achieving the right paint consistency for a smoother application and mixing. By the end of this chapter, you'll have a deeper understanding of how to capture the essence and character of your subject, and how to use artistic license to enhance your composition. I look forward to seeing your interpretations and encourage you to share your work on the website. Enjoy the process and let your curiosity lead you to new artistic paths.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
Dab the end of your palette knife or brush into each paint color to check their thickness. Ensure all paints have a similar viscosity to make mixing easier and maintain your painting flow.
Adjust Paint Thickness
If a paint is too thick, add a little walnut oil to thin it to the consistency of margarine or slightly warmer than room temperature butter. Adjust according to your preference for ease of application or a thicker impasto effect.
Consider Drying Time
For faster drying, mix a fast-drying medium like Liquin into your white paint, as white tends to dry the slowest. Be aware of the strong fumes from petrochemicals in these mediums.
Choose Your Medium
Decide on a painting medium such as walnut oil, which doesn't yellow over time and is less likely to cause sensitivity compared to linseed oil. Use it consistently throughout your painting.
Pro tipEnsure all paints have a similar viscosity to maintain a smooth painting process and stay in the creative zone.
In this lesson, you embarked on a journey to capture the essence of a dancing pine tree in a dynamic landscape. Starting with the preparation of your materials, you ensured that your paints had the right viscosity and selected a suitable medium to maintain a smooth painting process. With your surface ready, you sketched the composition, focusing on the tree's unique character and the balance of elements within the scene.
As you progressed, you paid attention to the tree's defining features and how it interacts with its environment, allowing its personality to shine through. You balanced the composition by positioning elements asymmetrically, creating dynamic shapes and movement throughout the painting. By blocking in big shapes and painting the darkest darks, you established a strong foundation for your work.
Finally, you refined the details, considering atmospheric perspective and the play of light and shadow. You experimented with textures and ensured that the tree remained the focal point, using both brush and palette knife techniques. As you completed the painting, you added the finishing touches to the sky and foreground, capturing the vibrant energy of the scene.
Points to remember
Ensure all paints have a similar viscosity for a smooth painting process.
Use synthetic brushes for crisp edges on board surfaces.
Enhance diagonal lines in your composition for dynamic design.
Observe the tree's unique features to capture its character.
Position elements asymmetrically for a more interesting composition.
Incorporate dynamic shapes to convey movement and energy.
Reload the brush frequently to maintain pure colors.
Soften edges as they approach the canvas edge to focus on central elements.
