How do I Paint Landscapes in Watercolor?
Watercolor techniques can complement the genre of landscape painting well, as the soft colors and watery brushstrokes give the painting an overall softer and more pastoral feeling. At the same time, mastering watercolor techniques can be difficult for beginners or those unfamiliar with the medium. To paint landscapes in watercolor, take a methodical approach and go slowly to avoid making mistakes.
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Locations
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Many landscape painters prefer to work from life, though you can also consider taking a photo of the area, particularly if the light will change drastically over time or if the weather is not ideal for working outside. By having the right materials, such as a portable easel and workspace, and setting the easel, the paper, and your paints up so that they are laid out in an accessible way close to the canvas, you will have the best chance at capturing the scene you want.
Preliminary Drawings
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Sketch the scene. Before you can paint the landscape, you should understand how the forms and shapes in it work together and contribute to the overall impression. Sketching the landscape in pencil on paper can make this process easier; some artists prefer to sketch in the scene first and then paint on the same paper or canvas, erasing the pencil lines afterward.
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Background
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Prepare your background colors. Depending on the kind of scene you are painting, you will need to prepare a variety of colors for the background. These will vary depending on where you are. For example, in a forest landscape, you may prefer to have a generally green background, with a blue or grey sky above and brown earth below. On the other hand, a seascape will require different shades of blue. To mix watercolors, it is best to use separate cups for each color, and add a little bit of water at a time until the consistency and color are right for the effect you want to produce.
Paint the background, using the colors you have prepared and your sketch as a guide. You can use shorter brushstrokes for a more Impressionist view of the landscape, or longer brushstrokes for a more realistic look; some artists may prefer to combine the two. In general, longer brushstrokes work well for the background. Let the background dry completely before beginning work on the foreground.
Foreground
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Prepare your foreground colors. Consider the objects in the foreground and mix colors accordingly. You may be tempted to add a lot of detail; however, this can overwhelm a landscape painting. Focus on clusters of detail and add strokes of similar color elsewhere; the spectator's eye will fill in any missing details without being overwhelmed. Let the foreground dry completely before removing any remaining pencil marks and displaying.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images
