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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.

A quick study of Saddle Peak
A quick study of Saddle Peak

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 1
Painting Session 1

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.

Painting Session 2
Painting Session 2

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.

Aaron Schuerr, "Saddle Peak in December," 2019, oil, 20 x 24 in., Available from artist, Plein air
Aaron Schuerr, “Saddle Peak in December,” 2019, oil, 20 x 24 in., Available from artist, Plein air

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