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
