The Basics of Landscape Painting

Painting a landscape can feel daunting, but you can start with just a few materials and a simple approach. All you really need is a canvas or paper, a few basic acrylic paints (blue, yellow, red, white, and black), and a few brushes. The most common mistake is starting with the details. Instead, begin by blocking in the large shapes. Look at your scene and simplify it into three main sections: the sky, the background (like mountains or trees), and the foreground. Mix your colors and paint these large areas first. Don’t worry about being precise. This builds the foundation. Once the big shapes are in, you can start adding the details – a tree trunk, a few highlights. Step back frequently to look at your work. The goal isn’t photorealism; it’s to capture the feeling of a place.