Landscape Painting

Free Tips and Techniques for Painting Oil Landscapes

With landscape artist Chris McHenry's hard-won oil painting tips and techniques, you’ll start to understand how to create a realistic sense of contrast for objects in your paintings, establish depth and focus in a landscape painting with a balance of warm and cool colors, and more. Attending
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Workshop, Spring 2010

On the Cover: John Morra teaching still life painting in New York City. Photo by Nathan Kraxberger Michelle Dunaway: Painting From the Center FEATURES Paul DeLorenzo: Learn the Basics of Academic Figure Painting by M. Stephen Doherty Having been trained
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Paint Landscapes From Sketches, Memory, and Photographs

Ever since my trip to Venice, Italy, last year, I have been looking at paintings of the city by 19th-century artists such as Sargent and Whistler, as well as contemporary artists such as Steve Rogers and Leonard Mizerek . I've become more aware of
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A Simple Formula for Pricing Artwork

Pricing artwork is one of the most complex tasks that emerging artists face, especially when they first begin to work with galleries. It's easy to see by reading articles and books on art marketing that the opinions of the experts vary. To make it
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24 Tips to Learn How To Paint a Plein Air Landscape

Our newest free eBook, “24 Tips to Learn How to Paint a Plein Air Landscape,” is now available to download, and in it you’ll find tips on how to get started working en plein air and how to improve your en plein air painting technique
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En Plein Air: Holiday Exhibitions & Shows

‘Tis the time of the year when galleries across the country host their annual holiday exhibitions, giving artists, dealers, and collectors the opportunity to gather around great art and share some Christmas cheer. Whether these shows are organized
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American Artist’s First Annual Weekend With the Masters Workshop & Conference: A Historic Event!

Several of the masters gathered together for a photo during the Saturday evening “Encouraging the Mastersof Tomorrow” silent auction and reception. From left to right: American Artist editor-in-chief M. Stephen Doherty, Joseph McGurl, Kevin
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Workshop, Winter 2009

On the Cover: Curt Walters painting the Grand Canyon (photo reversed). Graydon Parrish: A Rational Approach to Color Hue, Chroma, and Value Ben Fenske: Six Basics of Landscape Painting FEATURES Ben Fenske: Six Basics of Landscape Painting by M. Stephen
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En Plein Air: A Conversation With Jacob Collins

Known primarily for his figurative work and for leading a resurgence in classical art education through his Water Street Atelier and the Grand Central Academy of Art, in New York City, Jacob Collins is now the founder of the Hudson River Fellowship ,
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Andrea J. Smith: Expand From a Limited Palette and Focus

In the new atelier she opened in Rome, Andrea J. Smith teaches students to use a limited palette of colors when painting exactly what they see from a measured distance away from the subject and the easel.
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En Plein Air: Prepatory Sketch, Or Finished Work?

I recently returned from a trip to Colorado, and while on that trip I got into quite the (heated) debate with two figure painters who claimed that plein air painters who sell their on-site sketches are bringing down the overall value of art. What’s your opinion? Is plein air painting a means to
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The Sublime and the Beautiful: Painting the Hudson Valley

In honor of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage, the art community prepares to celebrate the extraordinary history of painting along the Hudson River.
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Judging Landscape Painting

I recently had the honor of judging the entries for the “Banks of the Hudson” exhibition for the Woodstock School of Art and noticed two common problems among the drawings and paintings I rejected. I should first say there were many outstanding
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William Jameson: The Elements of a Great Workshop

During a recent workshop in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, William Jameson provided instruction in plein air oil painting, but he knew it was just as important to offer encouragement and direction to students while they enjoyed the experience.
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En Plein Air: Pearls From Painters Past

Plein air painters deal with many challenges outdoors, but the first hurdle they usually come across is choosing something to zero in on amid miles of potential subject matter. Here’s what two great landscape instructors of the past have to say about composition and design.
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Edward Minoff's Large-Scale Landscape Painting

New York artist Edward Minoff wrote an article that will appear in the July/August issue of American Artist on his approach to creating a large-scale landscape in the style of the Hudson River School painters. The resulting painting Waves is presented here, along with some of the artist’s commentary
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Anatomy of the Landscape: Clouds

The sky can be the crowning glory of a landscape painting, with a well-done version enhancing the harmony of the overall piece and a less accurately rendered version detracting from the focus of the elements beneath. Within that sky, there is the possibility
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En Plein Air: A Conversation With Scott Christensen

Idaho artist Scott Christensen is one of the most well-respected landscape painters in the country, and his understanding of light, ability to achieve pure color, and reverence for nature also make him a highly sought-after instructor. In this Q+A section, we list Christensen’s responses to 10
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Exhibition: Hudson River School Sojourn

This exhibition fcocuses on the Hudson River School, a group of key figures in the American landscape painting tradition,and includes work from such artists as Jasper Francis Cropsey, Asher B. Durand, William McDougal Hart, and David Johnson, among others.
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Plein Air Painters at Weekend With the Masters

More than 18 top painters will be teaching at American Artist’s Weekend With the Masters Workshop & Conference this September, including the following five plein air painters who will be leading master workshops and demonstrations in Colorado’s beautiful Garden of the Gods and Monument
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American Artist, May 2009

The Table of Contents from the May 2009 issue of American Artist .
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Resources for Landscape Painters

Steve Doherty talks about landscape painting, and shows a video of a recent painting excursion in New Orleans.
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En Plein Air: Favorite Quotes?

In this blog entry, Allison Malafronte lists some of her favorite quotes related to landscape painting and nature, and encourages you to share the phrases, sayings, or sentiments that have inspired you.
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En Plein Air: A Conversation With Clyde Aspevig

Clyde Aspevig's technically astute and aesthetically impressive landscape paintings have been inspiring collectors and painters alike for years, and he is often refered to as a living master among those in the landscape genre. Here, the artist offers valuable insight into how he continues to increase
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En Plein Air: Letters On Landscape Painting

Asher B. Durand was one of the great leaders of the Hudson River School of landscape painters, and his monthly “Letters on Landscape Painting” column he wrote for The Crayon offered readers of the time invaluable insight into his approach to painting nature. Durand’s advice is just
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Tell Us What You Think About … Working From Photographs

As many of you know, there was quite a controversy about the fact that the gold-medal award winner in an international art competition seems to have made unauthorized copies of two photographs when she composed her watermedia painting. The image included
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En Plein Air: A Conversation With Lynn Gertenbach

by Allison Malafronte It’s time for my favorite En Plein Air post of the month: “A Conversation With”! This month I had the pleasure of interviewing Lynn Gertenbach, the accomplished landscape painter and instructor from California.
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Oil Painting: The Dutch Italianates at the Muscarelle Museum of Art

The Muscarelle Museum of Art, in Williamsburg, Virginia, will be the initial site for the national tour of the major exhibition of Old Master paintings. The Dutch Italianates: Seventeenth-Century Masterpieces From Dulwich Picture Gallery Through March
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Anatomy of the Landscape: Trees

Yesterday morning I had a wonderful conversation with Carolyn Anderson, the talented figure artist and workshop instructor from Montana who teaches at some of the top art schools around the country. I was interviewing her for an upcoming article we’re
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Oil Painting: Open Spaces

Francis Di Fronzo stopped working with paint brushes to create his own technique of “tapping the landscape into existence.” All Paths to War Lead Back to You (Part I) 2002, oil on panel, 48 x 48. Private collection. by Lynne Moss Perricelli
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Beginner Oil: How to set up a Still Life

Arranging the objects in a still life painting can be as challenging—and enjoyable—as painting the subject matter. Here we offer advice from several still life painters on how to create a visually stimulating setup. Blackware, Papaya, and
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Oil Painting: Dan Young's Harmony and Depth in Landscapes

In the Fall 2008 issue of Workshop magazine,we discussed how Dan Young helped both beginners and experienced painters develop their skills by showing them how to simplify forms, increase the sense of light, push background shapes into the distance, and
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Pastel: Denise LaRue Mahlke: Art as a Calling

Denise LaRue Mahlke believes that being an artist is a calling that involves preserving, celebrating, and sharing in God’s creation. That’s one of the reasons she challenges herself to strive for excellence as a pastel painter and a teacher
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Beginners: Watercolor Pigments

With the wide range of watercolors available, it is important to know the different formulations to create a palette that best suits your needs. Each side of the table above lists 4 common transparent and opaque pigments. by Naomi Ekperigin Watercolor
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Oil Painting: Susan Lichtman: The Powerful Use of Light in Oil Interiors

This Massachusetts painter uses a closely controlled palette and open painting approach to create highly evocative visions of interiors and figures. by John A. Parks Family at Sundown 2005, oil on linen, 48 x 72. All artwork this article collection the
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Oil Painting: Kevin Sanders' Plein Air Landscapes

In this online exclusive gallery, view more examples of plein air landscapes by Kevin Sanders, one of the artist featured in the September 2008 issue of American Artist. Ponte Vecchio 2006, oil, 18 x 24. All artwork this gallery private collection, unless
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Morgan Samuel Price's "Last of the Roses"

Watch a landscape painting audio slideshow demonstration of Morgan Samuel Price's Last of the Roses (2:08). Price was one of the artists featured in the spring 2008 issue of Workshop magazine. Oil painting garden scene Posted to Artist Daily by Karyn
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Oil Painting: Christopher Evans' Golden Landscapes

In the July/August 2008 issue of American Artist, we discussed how California-based artist Christopher Evans creates idyllic landscapes that communicate an extraordinary reverence for nature. We offer more of his paintings, with accompanying details,
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Beginner Oil: Setting up for Plein Air painting

The joy and excitement of plein air painting is worth the extra effort required to paint comfortably outside. Here, we address common problems and experiences artists face when first working outdoors. by Naomi Ekperigin Since the 19 th century, artists
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Oil Painting: Tree's Place Gallery Exhibition: Six Premier Landscape Artists

Six top artists combined observation, investigation, and invention to respond to the encompassing reality of the landscape. They will be exhibiting their sketches and studio paintings together for the first time this summer. by M. Stephen Doherty The
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Oil Painting: Peter Fiore's Oil Landscapes

In this online exclusive gallery, view more oil landscapes by May 2008 American Artist featured artist Peter Fiore. February Meadow 2007, oil on linen, 18 x 24. Courtesy Travis Gallery, New Hope, Pennsylvania. Fiore believes beautiful skies can make even
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Oil Painting: Steve Armes: Creating Imaginative Studio Paintings

For me, the goal of landscape painting is to paint stirring images that engage and inspire viewers, and this is more likely to happen when I use information from a variety of sources. by Steve Armes Sketch for Sierra Blanca 2005, oil, 8 x 10. All artwork
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Beginner Oil: Recommended Books for a Beginning Artists

From the thousands of art-instruction books available, we offer a list of those that have proven beneficial to new artists. by Naomi Ekperigin There are many options available for artists wishing to improve their skills. However, the price and time commitment
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Oil Painting: Abigail McBride's Still Lifes, Landscapes, and Figures

In the April 2008 issue of American Artist, we discussed how Maryland artist Abigail McBride is still acquiring skills to help her successfully build paintings more than 20 years after she started studying art seriously. We present more of McBride's
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Hudson River School for Landscape: Reviving an American Tradition

This past summer, 30 outstanding young artists were invited to spend three weeks studying the landscape in upstate New York, where they applied their figure-drawing skills to rendering nature. The intention of the four instructors was to revive the approach
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Drawing: Master Landscape Drawings: Evidence & Interpretatio

Many great landscape drawings were created as preparatory studies, educational exercises, or informational journals and not as finished works of art. We can now study those freely made graphic images for evidence of the artists’ ideas and procedures
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Oil Painting: Steve Armes' Landscapes

In the February 2008 issue of American Artist, Steve Armes discussed how his goal for landscape painting was to paint stirring images that engage and inspire viewers. In this online exclusive gallery, we present more of his oil landscapes. Above Lake
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Oil Painting: Frederic Edwin Church: A Great Landscape Painting Teacher

There are few American painters who were as celebrated, successful, or influential as Frederic Edwin Church. by M. Stephen Doherty Twilight, a Sketch by Frederic Edwin Church, 1858, oil, 8¼ x 12¼. Collection Olana State Historic Site, Hudson
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Acrylic: CRITIQUE: "Reflecting at Sunset"

Painting light accurately can be a challenge in landscape painting. by Shawn Gould Reflecting at Sunset 2006, acrylic, 24 x 24. This is a beautiful painting with nice light, however the sun's highlight is a little too bright. Since the light falls
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Beginners: The Basics of Watercolor Paints Part I

Knowing how watercolor paints are classified, and how the colors appear on paper and differ among manufacturers, is the critical first step for any watercolor artist. Here’s what you need to know. by Christopher Willard When it comes to watercolor
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Masters: John Ruskin and His Influence on American Art

During the second half of the 19th century a single writer held enormous sway over the hearts and minds of American artists, critics, and their public. by John A. Parks Devonport and Dockyard, Devonshire by Joseph Mallord William Turner, 1825–1829
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Pastel: Robert Hoffman: About Brown County, Indiana

In the spring 2007 issue of Workshop , we discussed how oil and pastel artist Robert Hoffman encouraged students to relax, explore, and experiment in his five-day introduction to plein air painting. Here, we offer an excerpt from the article about how
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Oil Painting: SPONSORED CONTENT: Artist Behind the Brand: Robert Gamblin of Gamblin Artist’s Colors

Robert Gamblin developed his art career and paint manufacturing business by learning how quality paints are made and how they can be used safely and effectively in the studio. by M. Stephen Doherty Evening Makena 2007, oil, 24 x 18. Collection the artist
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Oil Painting: Plein-Air Painters of America Members: From the Site to the Studio

A current exhibition in Stockton, California, shows how members of the Plein-Air Painters of America (PAPA) interpret their on-site studies to make larger studio paintings. We asked eight of the exhibiting painters to share their approaches with American
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Oil Painting: GALLERY: More Paintings from PAPA Members

In the October 2007 issue of American Artist, we profile eight of the Plein-Air Painters of American (PAPA) members who will be part of the group's 21st annual exhibition and sale, titled "From the Heart: Plein-Air Painters of American"
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Oil Painting: On Location in Malibu: Paintings by CAC Members

Nearly 60 views of Malibu created by members of the California Art Club are featured in this exhibition, which explores not only the city’s picturesque scenery but also the enduring California plein air landscape tradition. by Michael Zakian Driving
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Oil Painting: Heavy Paint, Big Brushes, and No Cleanup: The Paintings of Ken Auster

This California artist pursues an aggressive, take-no-prisoners approach to plein air painting. by John A. Parks Dos Roses 2006, oil, 12 x 9. Courtesy Red Piano Art Gallery, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Ken Auster uses loads of thick paint and
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Ned Mueller: Painting Spots of Color

Teaching students about color is essentially teaching them how to see—and then explaining how to paint beyond the literal. According to students, Montana painter Ned Mueller succeeds in doing this in his plein air workshops. by Bob Bahr Ned Mueller
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Oil Painting: GALLERY: Nancy Colella's Landscapes and Still Lifesoi

In the July/August 2007 issue of American Artist, we discussed how Massachusetts oil painter Nancy Colella maintains a sense of spontaneity in her landscape paintings. Here, we present more of her landscapes as well as her still-life paintings. Chat about
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Oil Painting: GALLERY: Rick Hansen's Landscapes and Still Lifes

In the February 2007 issue of American Artist , we explored how Rick Hansen painted landscapes and still lifes that reflected the way things appear at one moment in time. Here, we offer more of his paintings in this online exclusive gallery. Backwater
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Watercolor: Lee Boynton: Painting the Same Subject to Learn More About Light & Color

Lee Boynton, a master of Impressionistic watercolor painting, explains how to learn more about color and value by simplifying your subject and painting it repeatedly under different light conditions. by Linda Gottlieb and M. Stephen Doherty Cozy Harbor
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Oil Painting: James Gurney's Paintings: Fact & Fantasy

This New York state plein air artist creates impressive landscape paintings informed by his work as an illustrator and inspired by the work of the Hudson River School. by John A. Parks Creek Above Kaaterskill Falls 2004, oil, 20 x 16. All artwork this
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Oil Painting: GALLERY: Landscape Paintings from Joseph Gyurcsak

In the October 2006 issue of American Artist, Joseph Gyurcsak explained how he paints interior light. In contrast, we present 12 more images, mostly of landscapes, in this online exclusive gallery. Rachel's Room Oil on canvas, 11 x 14. The Dining
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