Ever painted a beautiful landscape, tried to add a person, and had it turn into a smudge that ruins the whole piece? You’re not alone — figures are one of the most avoided subjects in plein air painting, and most beginners skip them entirely. In this episode of Art School Live (watch below), Steve Browning breaks that habit down and shows a simple shape-based method for placing figures that read correctly at a glance, even if you’ve never studied anatomy.
You’ll see how just a few confident marks, placed with the right proportion and value, can bring a whole scene to life — as Steve builds figures into a plein air composition and thinks out loud through every decision along the way.
This art tutorial is packed with practical painting techniques for anyone who’s ever avoided putting people in their outdoor paintings — whether you work in oil, watercolor, pastel, or any other medium.
Watch: Painting Figures in the Landscape Made Easy with Steve Browning
Steve Browning was recently on the faculty of Plein Air Live. Our next online art event is Realism Live, taking place November 11-13, 2026.
Looking for MORE ways to improve your painting skills?
Don’t miss your opportunity to create lifetime memories at the Plein Air Convention & Expo! All training sessions are indoors on giant, high-def screens, with incredible paint-outs in the afternoons. Beginners and pros feel right at home, so register at PleinAirConvention.com to join us.
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Blog post prepared for the web by Cherie Dawn Haas, Editor of Plein Air Today
