I was in Florida a few weeks ago and felt so lucky to be in
such a warm, sunny place that I don't think I spent a minute indoors. I was
kayaking, mountain biking, walking on the beach, and swimming in the ocean. And
again and again I would look around and think, "That's a landscape painting
waiting to happen."
 |
| Pebble Beach, California I by Keiko Tanabe, watercolor on paper, 14 1/4 x 21 1/2. |
|
Now, as I sit here bundled up in a sweater and scarf, I'm
trying to really think about what made those scenes that I saw worthy of a
landscape artwork. First, what comes to mind is the color. When I was kayaking in the mangroves, I was struck by the
bold but simple colors I saw--rich, deep blue water; lush green vegetation and
tree leaves; and pale taupe-gray tree limbs. In terms of a color map, this would
make for a pretty simple fine art landscape painting, and yet I can't think of
anything that could truly enhance that natural beauty.
Next, I remember how lovely the light was. I was mesmerized by the dappled reflections of sunshine
on the water or when the sun would make a crashing wave seem to glow
transparently. Those light effects that stick in my mind are the same qualities
that the best landscape paintings have to offer too.
I would also have to
add a bit of the unexpected to this
hypothetical landscape artwork that I'm painting in my head. The dim but at the
same time really rich light that would settle on the landscape in the evenings
wasn't something I expected to see, and that's what made it so appealing.
 |
| Light at Sunset by Joseph McGurl, oil on canvas, 24 x 36. |
|
In my mind's eye I also see an incredible amount of texture or pattern. Whether it was
leaves in trees, reflections on the ocean's surface, or the pattern on a bird's
wing--the landscape was alive with repeated lines, colors, and forms.
Thinking of the landscape this way, it's clear to me why I
thought these scenes were landscape paintings waiting to happen--it's because
they were! I pinpointed the elements that made the views noteworthy in my
memory, and those are the same elements that would go into great landscape
artwork. But in order to really fulfill my vision, I need more landscape
painting know-how, which is why I've turned my attention to Johannes Vloothuis's
downloadable videos. There are lessons on painting water, trees, skies, and
more. See for yourself what Vloothuis might have to offer you and enjoy!
