In this chapter, we'll explore the captivating scene of 'The Dancing Pine' at Lake Ohau, a subject that offers a delightful challenge and a rewarding experience for any painter. This lesson is designed to guide you through creating a harmonious painting that feels united, not just through color, but through the repetition of shapes that echo the swishy, dynamic form of the tree. You'll learn how to manipulate your palette for ease of use, ensuring each color has the same consistency for smoother application and mixing. As we paint, we'll delve into capturing the unique character of each element, from the expressive branches of the pine to the majestic mountains, which I've artistically relocated to enhance the composition. By adjusting lighting and shadow, you'll discover how to direct the viewer's attention and bring your painting to life. With just five steps, I'll lead you through this process, helping you add those crucial finishing touches that can elevate your work. Embrace your artistic license, and let's create a piece that sings with unity and character.
Step 18Finalizing the Sky and Background
Enhance Foreground with Lupins
Add a few lupins to the foreground to introduce more color interest. These flowers are lovely and can provide a nice touch of color to your painting.
Create Reflected Light Effect
Warm up the area under a tree with colors that suggest light reflecting from the grasses. This technique adds depth and realism to your painting.
Paint Sky Reflection on Rocks
Use a dark blue color to paint the reflection of the sky on a rock. Remember, this reflection should be a darker shade, not a light one.
Subdue Attention-Grabbing Elements
Tone down a fence post by mixing yellow ochre and blue to prevent it from being too punchy and drawing too much attention.
Paint Subtle Branches
Mix a color slightly darker than the background to paint branches coming through the trees. This will help them stand out subtly against the background.
Maintain Clean Color
Fold your paper towel instead of scrunching it to keep your colors clean. Clean your brush at the top of the folded towel and work your way down, folding it over as needed to maintain a clean surface.
Adjust Overlapping Edges
If two edges are meeting awkwardly, extend one element, like a tree, further up to create a more natural transition.
Soften Mountain Edges
Use a softer edge technique to soften the edges of a mountain in the background. This helps create the illusion of distance and makes the mountain appear further away.
Summary & key takeaways
Embark on your painting journey by preparing your materials and surface with care. Begin by ensuring your paints have the right viscosity using walnut oil for adjustments, and prepare your canvas with a light coat of yellow ochre. Sketch your composition with ultramarine, focusing on dynamic shapes and the unique character of the tree to set the stage for your painting.
As you progress, pay attention to the balance and movement within your composition. Use vibrant colors and dynamic shapes to create depth and interest, and carefully position elements like the red cabin to draw the viewer's eye. Block in the big shapes to establish the foundation, and use atmospheric perspective to create a sense of distance and depth in your mountains.
In the final stages, refine your details and focus on light and shadow to bring your painting to life. Use a limited palette to maintain color harmony, and apply your brushstrokes with intention to create texture and interest. Soften edges where needed to guide the viewer's eye, and add finishing touches to highlight the tree as the focal point of your lively and dynamic composition.
Points to remember
- Use walnut oil to adjust paint viscosity without yellowing.
- Synthetic brushes provide smoother strokes and less paint scraping.
- Exaggerate tree features to emphasize its unique character.
- Place the red cabin slightly off-center for a warm spot of interest.
- Vary the size and direction of diagonal shapes for dynamism.
- Use a size 12 brush to efficiently cover large areas with the darkest darks.
- Reload your brush frequently to maintain color purity and prevent muddiness.
- Soften the mountain edge near the tree to make it stand out as the focal point.
