Landscape Painting

Landscape Painting

A landscape is a drawing or painting of a scene that can include bodies of water, mountains, hills, deserts, forests, fields, people, animals, roads, and man made objects.

There are four parts to a landscape

·  The foreground which is the area closest to you

·  The mid ground which is the middle of the scene

·  The background which is the area farthest from you

·  The horizon which is where the sky and ground appear to meet

Objects in the foreground are large, clear, have lots of contrast and detail. They are drawn lower on the paper and can overlap the mid ground and background or even go off the picture plane.

Objects in the mid ground vary in size, clarity, contrast and detail depending upon how close they are to the foreground or background. Usually the main focus of the landscape will be found in the mid ground.

Objects in the background are usually small, fuzzy, and have little contrast or detail. These will be drawn higher on the page.

Landscape drawings should begin with the placement of the horizon line. It may be anywhere on the paper. The higher up on the paper it is drawn will allow more room for objects to be drawn. Lower on the page will allow less.

Once the horizon line is in place begin to draw in your other details.

Perspective and proportion must be considered when drawing and placing details. Remember, things appear to get smaller as they go farther into the background. So you cannot have a three inch person next to a three inch building if they are intended to fit inside of the building.

Once the landscape has been sketched you may begin to paint.

Start your painting back to front by blocking in the sky and the ground that is farthest in the background then working forward. Once that has dried, begin to paint in details. Try to allow some details in the foreground to overlap objects in the mid ground and background.

Try to use a variety of brushstrokes and techniques to show texture. Remember that light and shade is very important to show volume and depth in your landscape. Use complementary colors to add shading.

Name______Date______

Grade level/ day______

Landscape Painting Rubric

For your painting you must

·  Have at least one object in each of the foreground, mid ground, and background

·  Have at least one object must overlap into another area

·  Have a clearly visible horizon line

·  Use light and shade to show volume and depth

·  Pay attention to perspective and proportion.

·  Work slowly from back to front when painting, allowing areas to dry before painting details

·  Show your light source with light and shade. DO NOT PAINT A SUN IN THE CORNER!!!!!!!

Landscape Painting Grading Rubric High Low

1. There is at least one object in each area 5 4 3 2 1 0

2. At least one object overlaps into another area or

goes off the picture plane 5 4 3 2 1 0

3. The horizon line is clearly visible 5 4 3 2 1 0

4. Light and shade has been used correctly to show

volume, depth, and the light source 5 4 3 2 1 0

5. Objects and details are in proportion to each other 5 4 3 2 1 0

6. Paint has been added from back to front 5 4 3 2 1 0

7. Your name, date and grade level are on the back 5 4 3 2 1 0

Total______

Grade______

In creating this painting I have learned______