How to Sketch Landscapes

You do not need an art degree to sketch landscapes. Use a few simple tips and some practice to create a very acceptable sketch. Using techniques such as finding an interesting viewpoint, discovering light and shadow, creating perspective and highlighting an interesting focal point assist you in successfully sketching landscapes.

Things You'll Need

• Artist pencils or #2 pencil
• Heavy white paper
• Landscape photo if not on scene

Instructions

1. 

   To sketch landscapes, find a large, outdoor natural scene or photo of a scene you want to sketch. Decide on the vantage point, or view from which you will sketch. Try different views until you find a pleasing way to look at the scene. Look at the scene as if it were a photograph and decide what area of the large outdoor scene you will sketch. Use your thumb and index fingers to help you form a box and look through it to help you make these composition decisions.

2. 

   Whether on location or looking at a photograph, locate the source of light in the landscape scene. Study the shadows and lighter areas. Sketch these areas of shadow and light carefully to give your scene depth. Create shadows with texture lines such as crosshatching or simply by creating darkly sketched areas. Lighter areas in the scene require a lighter touch with the pencil.

3. 

   Begin your landscape sketch by placing the horizon line. Look carefully at the composition and the way in which you have chosen to portray it. Decide if the horizon line, the place where the ground meets the sky, belongs high, low or in the middle of the sketch. Notice the contour lines of the ground, vegetation or buildings at the horizon line. Sketch your horizon line lightly, taking all of these into consideration.

4. 

   Locate a focal point for your landscape sketch. A tree, old barn, herd of cattle, sailboat or mountain may provide just the interest your landscape needs. Sketch the focal point to the right or left of center for a more interesting affect. Placing of a focal point in the center often makes for a less interesting, more static-looking landscape composition.

5. 

   Notice the size of things at the horizon line of your landscape sketch. Sketch items smaller at the horizon line. Be sure to use perspective when drawing roads, sidewalks, fences, railroads and other things that fade away from the viewer. Draw the parallel lines of a road for instance, coming closer and closer together the farther away, or closer to the horizon line, they become. Eventually, at the horizon line, these items disappear.

6. 

   Draw items in the foreground of your landscape sketch with more detail, larger and darker. Place most of your detailed drawing efforts in the foreground. Create the illusion of depth by drawing things smaller, less detailed and lighter farther back in the middle or background.

Tips & Warnings

• Omit or rearrange objects to make the landscape sketch more eye appealing. Move things around from their natural or real locations in your sketch if it benefits composition.