Depicting a Misty, Lush Green Scenery
Article Rewrite:
Painted this: Misty Green Meadows. The bloody Hell this was tricky. With this piece, there wasn't much room for mistakes when it came to those greens and the misty backdrop. A tad too much color, or a slight misstep with the temperature, and it'd all go to shit. Had to be my meticulous, attentive self with the colors, more so than usual. Let's break it down.
Image Source
The reference for this paintings is here. Yeah, grab it if you feel like having a go. Just let me know how you fare. I took the photo during my jaunt in the Noosa hinterlands. Could've sworn I'd paint it en plein air, but the photo'll have to do. It ain't justice to those colors and atmosphere, but it serves as a decent reminder. I drew from the photo and my initial impressions from that morning.
My Toolkit
Standard stuff really. Just made sure I had a decent range of blues and yellows so I could mix all those diverse, luscious greens.
- Paint brushes, palette knives, and oil paints
- Surface: Ampersand gessoboard, 12 by 16 inches
- Oil paints: Ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, cobalt turquoise, cadmium red, magenta, alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow, cadmium yellow deep, cadmium yellow light, viridian green, raw umber, and titanium white.
Check out my art supplies to know what stuff I usually roll with.
Step 1: Sketchy Bizz
Started with a loose sketch, aiming to capture the major shapes and lines. Simplistic subject, with color and mood being key elements. Didn't need to do much here.
Step 2: Foundation
Moved on to the dark trees. They're essential for providing contrast with the light sky and grass colors. Also, they provide structure to the painting.
Skipped some of the trees at the front because they were a bit too warm. Wanted to use more detailed and playful brushwork here, but without it overpowering the overall understated feel of the painting. Jumped up to the sky then. Keeping the sky simple, but it's important for capturing the soft, diffused glow of the sunlight. Needed to nail the temperature and value within the context of the painting. Went with a slightly cool and light gray. Worked this sky color into the top of the trees, creating a soft edge.
Dropped back down to the grass in the foreground and mapped out the colors. This area, along with the misty atmosphere, is the focal point of the painting. Needed to get the colors just right. Started cautiously, then consolidated from there. Wrapped up the foundation by painting the front trees. These greens were a bit warmer and lighter. Used a bit of playful brushwork here, but not too much that it takes away from the painting's subdued nature. Also added a few warmer tones to the foreground to suggest exposed dirt and rocks.
Step 3: Refine and Detail
The remaining work was all about refining the surface and ensuring it all worked harmoniously together. This was the last 20% of the painting process, but it took up 80% of the time.
Spend a lot of time working out the atmosphere and the greens in the foreground. Walked through a few things I did along the way.
Softened the edges of the trees with my finger. This made the trees gradually melt and disappear into the mist. Used a palette knife to rough up the fading trees and scumble light colors over the top. Used a brush to gently scumble light yellow and green highlights over the grass. Painted over the exposed white surface at the bottom of the painting, which was partially hidden by the bottom of the easel.
Step 4: Sign Off
Signed the painting complete in the bottom left-hand corner using a fine Kolinsky brush and magenta.
That's a wrap. Here's the completed painting again:
Final Thoughts
Fairly pleased, though always room for improvement. Could be a bit labored in some areas, but that might be because I know what went into it. Fresh eyes might see the painting differently. What I believe the painting does well is capture the overall atmosphere and feel of the landscape. I dig the overall color theme, with the dancing greens in the foreground against the subdued colors at the back.
Here are a few close-ups:
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Dan Scott is the brains behind Draw Paint Academy. A self-taught artist from Australia with a penchant for landscapes. Took a shot at this tutorial himself, and it didn't turn out half-bad. If you wanna know more, head to our About page.
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This painting, titled Misty Green Meadows, can be a wonderful addition to a home-and-garden setting, emphasizing a landscape painting style that captures the tranquility of nature. With its vibrant greens and the soft, misty backdrop, this oil painting on a 12 by 16 inches Ampersand gessoboard can enhance any lifestyle, serving as a serene reminder of Noosa hinterlands' colors and atmosphere.
