The following is part of a series featuring a leader in the art community who will be joining us on the faculty of Pastel Live, a virtual art conference taking place August 17-19, 2023.
Demonstration: Painting the Landscape in Stages
by Aaron Schuerr
I work fast to capture the quality of light and shifts of color in “Saddle Peak Winter Study.” I will bring the 12 x 16-inch study with me on three additional painting sessions to remind me of the effects I’m aiming to achieve on a larger canvas.
Painting Session 1
To take advantage of the limited amount of sunlight available to me this time of year, I break down the painting process over several sessions. At this stage, I pay particular attention to the light and shadow patterns as I block in the basic shapes.
Painting Session 2
Working on a larger scale, I have the time and space to bring out the detail and special qualities that drew me to the landscape in the first place. Here, I refine shapes, break down edges, and play with subtle shifts in color and temperature within the forms.
Final Painting Session
On my last outing, I build up textures and add the warm lights and dark accents, while evaluating the overall balance of the composition.
Helpful Links:
- Visit Aaron Schuerr’s website
- Learn from Schuerr during this year’s Pastel Live virtual art conference
Transform your skills at the next Plein Air Live online art conference! Plein Air Live gives you invaluable insights and live demonstrations from some of the world’s best plein air artists. Learn more at PleinAirLive.com.
Browse more free articles here at OutdoorPainter.com
Blog post prepared for the web by Cherie Dawn Haas, Editor of Plein Air Today
