How to Capture the Essence of a Misty Green Landscape in Your Art

Presenting a newly completed painting titled Misty, Verdant Landscape. This piece proved to be more challenging than it appears. The greens and hazy background left little room for mistakes. An extra hint of color or a slight misjudgment in temperature could change the entire piece’s dynamics. Therefore, I needed to exercise much more control and precision in my color usage than I typically do. Allow me to guide you through my painting process.

Reference Image

Below is the reference photo I used for this painting. A high-resolution version can be downloaded here. Feel free to replicate it; I’d love to hear how your version turns out!

This photo was captured during my last morning in the Noosa hinterlands, while I was out exploring and running. Ideally, I would have painted this scene on location, as the photo fails to capture the true colors and atmosphere. Nevertheless, it serves as a helpful reminder of that beautiful morning. During my painting session, I relied on both the reference photo and my initial impressions from that day.

Materials Used

Below is a list of materials I utilized for this painting. The setup was fairly standard; I ensured I had a good variety of blues and yellows to create the rich greens characteristic of the scene.

• Brushes, palette knives, and oil paints.
• Surface: Ampersand gessoboard, size 12 by 16 inches.
• Oil paints: Ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, cobalt turquoise, cadmium red, magenta, alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow, cadmium yellow deep, cadmium yellow light, viridian green, raw umber, and titanium white.

For more details on the materials I typically use, check my supplies list.

Step 1: Sketching

(Note that some of the progress images may appear underexposed and slightly too dark.)

I began with a loose sketch to outline the primary shapes and lines. Given the simplicity of the subject, there was no need for extensive detail; the emphasis lay on color and ambiance.

Step 2: Establishing the Foundation

I started with the darkest trees, which are crucial for creating contrast alongside the lighter colors of the sky and grass. They provide some structure for the entire painting.

You’ll notice I skipped detailing some of the trees in the foreground, as they were slightly warmer in tone, allowing me to employ more intricate and playful brushwork there.

Next, I moved to the sky, which is simple yet vital. Capturing the soft glow of sunlight required precise handling of temperature and value within the painting. I chose a slightly cool light gray and blended this sky color with the tree tops to achieve a soft edge.

Then, I transitioned to the grass in the foreground, loosely sketching the colors. This area, along with the misty atmosphere, forms the painting’s focal point, so I paid special attention to color accuracy. I began cautiously and then built up until I was satisfied with the result.

To finish the foundation, I painted the foreground trees. These greens appeared warmer and lighter. I applied a bit of playful brushwork here, ensuring it did not overpower the painting’s subtlety. I also incorporated warmer tones in the foreground to give the impression of exposed earth and rocks.

Step 3: Refinement

This stage involved refining the painting and ensuring every element worked cohesively. Although it represented only the last 20% of the painting process, it took around 80% of the time.

I dedicated considerable time to fine-tuning the atmosphere and greens in the foreground to achieve a harmonious look. Here’s a summary of some techniques I employed along the way.

Using my finger, I softened the edges of the trees so they seamlessly faded into the mist.

A palette knife helped to add texture to the fading trees, and I scumbled lighter shades over them for enhancement.

I utilized a brush to softly scumble light yellow and green highlights across the grass.

Additionally, I painted over the white area at the picture’s base which was partly concealed by the easel’s edge.

(I also created a video showcasing this painting that may interest you: How to Paint Misty Trees.)

Step 4: Signing and Final Touches

Once I was satisfied, I signed the painting in the lower left corner using a fine Kolinsky brush in magenta.

Here’s a look at the finished painting once more:

Final Reflections

While I am quite pleased with the outcome, there are always aspects that I feel could be improved! Some areas seem a bit overworked to me, though that might stem from my detailed knowledge of the effort involved. A fresh perspective may yield different interpretations. What stands out is how effectively the painting captures the mood and essence of the landscape, along with the harmonious color scheme that dances between the vibrant greens in the foreground and the subdued tones in the background.

Here are a few close-up shots of the details:

Thank you for joining me in this journey. I’m eager to hear your feedback in the comments below.

Additionally, we will soon be opening enrollment for our Color Masterclass, our most comprehensive course to date, which is only offered a few times yearly. Don’t forget to ​join the waitlist​ if you’re interested.

Happy painting!

Dan Scott

Draw Paint Academy

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