Painting Tip #8

The sky is always the lightest part of a landscape. The only situation where another area comes even close to that brightness would be a snow scene.

Painting Tip #7

Try a limited palette. Use just three colors, Winton Red #6, Ultramarine Blue and Cadmium Yellow Light along with Titanium White to paint almost anything. This is the palette Dawn Whitelaw uses. Dawn is an experienced portrait and plein air artist and wonderful teacher. When I asked her whether she ever thinks about adding another color, she reluctantly replied that perhaps lemon yellow might be needed for a beach scene in the Caribbean.

Painting Tip #6

When painting "en plein air" (outdoors) make sure that your canvas support is in the shade, otherwise your painting will be terribly dark and dull when you bring it inside. Painting in the shade ensures the most colorful and vibrant effect. Sometimes you have to position your easel in such a way that you need to look back over your shoulder at the scene you are portraying. An umbrella can be helpful, but it is yet another item to lug about and if there is any wind you are liable to have your setup carried away with disastrous results.

Painting Tip #5

Try to find the correct color and value right away rather than putting down something that is only approximately right – don’t delay your decision making!

Painting Tip #4

Work from the middle – always reserve your lightest lights for highlights and darkest darks as accents. This is easier said than done and requires good judgment when it comes to values! Never paint darker than a value 8 or lighter than a value 3 (Munsell aficionadoes, just reverse those value numbers to: darker than a 3/lighter than an 8) so you can come in with the accents and highlights at the end.

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Painting Tip #3

Vertical elements in the landscape such as trees are always darker than the sky and the ground or lake which receives light from the sky.

Painting Tip #2

Always look for a horizontal element in the landscape to lead your eye into the painting to the area of focus, which is where the most contrast should also exist – having the lightest light and darkest dark in close proximity. Also, never put your area of interest or horizon line in the center of your painting.

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Alternatively, you can click on the "LIKE" button on the sidebar of this blog! I am going to be sharing lots of things I have learned over the years that I wish someone had told me sooner in my painting career!