Welcome to one of my favorite painting spots on the planet—Paradise. In this chapter, you'll embark on a journey to capture the breathtaking beauty of this scene, learning to paint receding mountains, the interplay of light and shadow on snow, and the delicate wisps of autumnal willow trees. We'll start with a 13 by 10 and a half inch canvas, but feel free to adjust to a size that suits you. Using Cobra Water Mixable Oils by Royal Talens and a selection of Rosemary & Co brushes, I'll guide you through each step, from sketching the horizon line to adding those final touches with a palette knife and a detail brush. This lesson will help you master the art of creating depth and interest in your landscape by varying shapes and avoiding repetition. By the end, you'll not only have a stunning piece of art but also a deeper understanding of how to bring such a rewarding subject to life on canvas. Enjoy the process and the beauty of Paradise as you paint along with me.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
"Paradise" 13x10.5" Oil on Canvas by Richard Robinson.
Step 10Painting the midground and river plain
Mix Warm Grey for Midground
Create a warm grey by combining white, red, a little blue, and black. Apply this mixture to the river plain and bushes on the right, ensuring the lines are very horizontal and straight to maintain perspective. Keep the trees small to provide scale to the scene.
Paint Grasses with Light Color
Mix a lighter, brighter color for the grasses using yellow ochre, white, a touch of blue, and black. Scoop the paint onto the end of your brush to create a crisp edge and lightly drag it onto the canvas.
Create Stony River Basin
Mix a light warm grey with white, black, a little red, and yellow ochre. Apply in long horizontal strokes, leaving gaps for the shiny river. Soften the edge slightly to indicate the cast shadow from the hill.
Add Light to Water
Use a smaller brush to mix the light snow color with white and a touch of yellow. Apply thickly in thin horizontal lines, avoiding steep diagonals to maintain perspective. Add a little blue to the water's edges for reflectiveness.
Paint Backlit Trees
Mix a warm rust-colored grey using white, black, red, and yellow ochre. Use a big soft brush for soft edges and gestural strokes in the foreground. Brush lightly to avoid hard edges, creating the effect of wintering or autumnal willow trees.
Pro tipEnsure lines are horizontal and straight to maintain perspective.
Embark on your painting journey by setting a strong foundation with a well-planned composition. Begin with a lower horizon line to let the mountains take center stage, and sketch with attention to variation and dynamic angles. As you progress, mix vibrant chromatic blacks to maintain color richness and avoid dullness in your work.
Layer your colors thoughtfully, starting with distant mountains and gradually moving to the foreground. Use a combination of blues, reds, and yellows to create depth and atmospheric perspective. Pay attention to the thickness of your paint and the cleanliness of your brush to keep your colors vibrant and avoid muddiness.
As you add final details, focus on the interplay of light and shadow to bring your landscape to life. Use subtle variations in color and texture to enhance realism, and ensure your shadows align with the light source for a cohesive look. With the addition of small elements like sheep, your scene will gain character and charm. Finish with precise accents and your signature to complete your masterpiece.
Points to remember
Position the horizon lower to emphasize the mountains.
Use chromatic black to maintain vibrancy in your painting.
Thin your paint with walnut oil for even coverage.
Keep your brush clean and renew the paint frequently.
Begin the mist at the base and blend upwards for a natural transition.
Use a light touch with the brush to prevent blending.
Ensure lines are horizontal and straight to maintain perspective.
Ensure all cast shadows point towards the sun in a radial fashion.
