As the summer sun hangs high in the sky, it’s hard not to be inspired by the beauty of nature. Whether your subject is a distant mountain range or a local marshland, there is nothing like capturing its majesty on canvas.
Painting these scenes can be intimidating if you’re new to art – after all, how do you replicate what you see with brushes and colored pigments? But don’t fret; with some practice and knowledge of painting fundamentals, anyone can learn how to create breathtaking paintings of summer landscapes.
Read on for tips that will help you create beautiful paintings from nature.
Gather the supplies you’ll need for your summer landscape painting
The supplies you need for your landscape painting project depend on your preferred technique and materials. Acrylic paints, watercolors, oil paints, and pastels are popular options. Select quality brushes in various sizes best suited to your chosen medium. A canvas or board is also essential.
Consider adding palette knives, sponges, and other painting tools for additional textures. If you are a beginner, use quality supplies that won’t limit your potential or frustrate you as you learn.
Once you’ve gathered your materials, select a summer scene for inspiration and prepare to create! Whether you paint from life or rely on reference photos is up to you – both have their benefits.
When working from life, you can capture the scene exactly as it appears to you in nature; using reference photos, you can paint at your own pace and give yourself the time to consult additional resources or reviews of what has already been created.
Whichever method you choose, create a plan & make sure to bring all the necessary supplies when painting outside. Now, you’re ready to start painting! Begin by blocking your composition’s shapes and values with a pencil.
From there, think about how you want to compose your landscape – will it be bold & colorful or subdued & atmospheric? As you paint, consider the colors and textures available in nature. How can you replicate them on Canvas?
Finally, remember to be creative – use your imagination to interpret the scene uniquely.
These simple steps will give you the tools and knowledge to create an amazing summer landscape painting.
Choose the colors that fit your vision for the perfect summer landscape
Once you have your outline and composition, it’s time to choose the colors that will bring your summer landscape painting to life. Consider colors that evoke a feeling of warmth and energy, such as yellows, oranges, reds, and purples.
For extra vibrant color, you can also get creative with complementary color combinations like blues, oranges, greens, and pinks. When choosing your colors, make sure you keep in mind the effect of light and shadows on the painting. This will help you choose colors that will accurately reflect the scene.
Sketch the painting before you start painting
Once you have decided on the composition of your painting, sketch it out as accurately as possible with a pencil. This will help to visualize the elements in your painting and their placement on the canvas or paper. Taking the time for careful planning and precision in this step will pay off once you add paint to your masterpiece.
Paint the background of your summer landscape
To paint the background, wet your canvas and apply a thin yellow or light blue wash. You can use a large brush for this step. Make sure you evenly cover the entire canvas with color. Then let the base layer dry before adding any additional layers.
Once you have finished painting the background layer, it’s time to add details. You can start by adding rolling hills or trees to create depth and texture in your landscape. Paint the hills using a combination of blues, greens, and browns – depending on what landscape you want to create.
For example, opt for oranges and reds instead for an autumnal-style landscape. Now that you have created the background, it’s time to add in the sun and sky. You can use thin brushes for this step to create a more detailed sky.
Paint the sky with light blues and yellows – if you like, add bolder shades of blue and orange for contrast. Finally, don’t forget to add white clouds and bright yellow sunrays to create a summery atmosphere.
If you want to take your landscape painting further, add other elements such as flowers, mountains, or buildings. For example, use yellows and oranges for the flowers and browns and greens for the buildings.
Finally, don’t forget to add shadows for added depth and realism – this can be done by blending in darker shades of your colors or using black paint.
And that’s it! You have now completed your summer landscape painting. Follow these steps and use the right tools to create a vibrant and beautiful piece of art.
Use darker shades
You can use darker shades to add depth and texture when painting a summer landscape. This is best done with complementary colors like blues or greens against yellows and oranges. You can also create shadows using the same color at different intensity values (lightness/darkness).
For example, if you’re painting a bright yellow sunflower, mix a bit of darker yellow in your paint mixture and use it to add depth to the petals. This will create shadows that make the flower pop out from the canvas.
You can also use contrasting colors, such as orange against blue or purple against greens. However, be careful to do just what is necessary since these intense combinations can clash if you’re not cautious.
Additionally, if you’re painting a summer sky, use darker shades of blue to give it depth. This will create realistic clouds and shadows and make your painting stand out.
Add details
The details you add to your summer landscape painting can bring the scene to life. Add flowers, trees, animals, or clouds to give it more interest and texture. Flowers are a great way to add color to the foreground of your painting.
Adding trees can create depth and lead viewers’ eyes through the composition. Animals can also be fun to include, such as birds flying through the sky or rabbits hopping around.
Clouds can also create a dreamy atmosphere and enhance your summer landscape painting. Have fun experimenting with different elements.
FAQs
How do beginners paint landscapes?
If you are a beginner, starting with simple shapes and adding layers of color and texture as you gain confidence is best. Sketching the painting before you begin can help ensure that your painting will turn out the way you envisioned. Using lighter colors for the background helps create a bright atmosphere, while darker hues can be used to add depth and texture.
What colors should I use for a summer landscape?
The perfect summer landscape can be achieved with light blues and yellows to create a bright atmosphere. Darker hues can be used to add depth and texture. Consider adding vibrant colors such as reds, oranges, and purples to bring the painting to life.
What do you paint first in a landscape painting?
When painting a landscape, it’s best to start with the background. Paint the sky first using light blues and yellows to create a bright atmosphere. Once you have painted the background, layer in more colors and textures to give depth and life to your painting. Finally, add details like flowers, trees, animals, or clouds to complete your summer scene.
What makes a successful landscape painting?
A successful landscape painting requires attention to detail and thoughtful use of color. Start by gathering the necessary supplies, such as paints, brushes, canvas, and other materials. Choose colors that fit your vision for the perfect summer landscape. Sketch the painting before you start to ensure it will turn out as you envisioned. Paint the background with light blues and yellows to create a bright atmosphere. Use darker shades to add depth and texture, and add details such as flowers, trees, animals, or clouds to make it more lively.
Conclusion
You can paint a summer landscape with the right tools and a splash of fulfillment. Gather the supplies needed for your painting. Choose colors that best fit your vision, sketch your painting before beginning, and use shades of light blues or yellows for your summer landscape background.
To give it depth and texture, go darker with colors, adding details such as flowers, trees, animals, or clouds to make it more lively. Summer landscapes paint a beautiful view that will always remain unchanged in the minds of passionate painters.
