How To Draw Landscape
Drawing landscapes can seem daunting but it’s really just about practice, patience and having an appreciation for nature. There are a few simple tips and tricks you can use to make drawing landscapes easier and more enjoyable.
Start by finding a peaceful spot and taking a few moments to observe the scene. Notice details like the shapes of the trees, the pattern of the sky and the way each element interacts with the surrounding environment. This mindfulness is key to translating your observations into beautiful art.
When you’re ready to begin, focus on the background details first. Drawing those farthest away from you will help you get a sense of the space and provide a framework to fill out details closer to the foreground. Use gentle strokes, emphasizing tonal values over specifics – the aim is to capture the beauty not every last blade of grass.
The best way to depict trees and other plants is to look for their most characteristic shapes, such as their silhouettes, and how they all fit together in the landscape. Using a combination of simple lines and wider curves can help you illustrate the landscape’s natural geometry.
Make sure you give your painting a focal point to bring it all together. Balance out your skyline to create a sense of depth and utilize contrast to help guide people’s eyes across the painting. You may want to consider using a limited colour palette to further draw attention to certain elements.
Incorporating shadows and reflections into your painting is a great way to achieve a sense of movement while simultaneously introducing contrast and vibrancy. For example, learn to pay attention to light and shadow to work out where the sun is in the sky and what parts of the landscape its rays are touching.
Texturing the ground can be tricky but essential. Try filling in large areas with simple horizontal lines and dashes to represent grass or bare rocks, or to put in details like veins of dry earth which will give your landscape texture and contrast.
Adding interesting features, such as a winding road, can further enhance the landscape painting and suggest a story. When it comes to adding lines to your painting, you don’t have to be perfect. Observing natural lines in nature and putting a slightly distorted version into your drawing can create an incredibly effective and realistic look.
To create depth, work with a gradient perspective. When you move away from you, the same object in a landscape will steadily decrease in size. For example, the further away a tree is, the smaller it will get. You may also incorporate vertical elements to achieve an up/down perspective – such as tall buildings receding into the distance.
When you’re finished, take your time to appreciate your finished artwork. An important part of becoming a better artist is taking pride in your accomplishments and using the feedback to continue to enhance your craft.
