Creating Large, Simplified Geometric Figures and Vibrant Hues
Painting Simplified:
Ever struggled with the small details while painting? It's totally normal, even for seasoned artists! Here's a handy tip: focus on the big, simple shapes and colors first, then move on to the complex stuff later. That's right - just like building a house, start with a strong foundation!
Let me explain with my painting, New Zealand, Autumn Colors. Don't be deceived by its simplicity; it's a fantastic demonstration of this concept. You've got a landscape with trees, sky, and a path weaving through. But there's a bunch of noise and detail, right? If I tried to paint every leaf, twig, and highlight, I'd be overwhelmed! So instead, I simplify it all by breaking down the subject into basic shapes and colors.
I begin with the foreground, which is a complex area filled with leaves of different shapes and colors. I could block it in with a single flat color and add details later, but why not try something more intricate? I go straight for multicolored strokes and broken color to capture the variance in color. Remember, simplifying the subject doesn't mean you have to use simple techniques!
As I paint, I keep the strokes and colors as part of one large shape, trying to maintain a balance in terms of value. Next, I block in the trees using a few broad colors, with simple shapes to suggest the trees. I then map out the light hitting the path, painting with confidence, even if my strokes aren't perfect. I can always fix them later.
I wasn't satisfied with the brushwork for the path, so I scraped it down and reworked it with the palette knife. I also finished off the shapes that represent the trees. The palette knife is fantastic for the early stages of a painting, allowing you to quickly cover the surface with paint and easily adjust it.
The sky comes next, woven between the trees. I ignore any small gaps and only focus on the big, simple shapes and colors. I add intricate details later. At this point, I have a good foundation to work with, a simplified version of the subject. Now I can focus on adding the complex details, but I'll save that for another time!
This technique, seeing the world as simple shapes and colors, is something you can practice anywhere, even without your easel. Tune out the noise and information, and you'll find it makes painting much easier. It's a valuable skill to develop and will help you throughout your art journey.
If you're interested in learning more, check out my Painting Academy course. I'll guide you through the fundamentals of painting, perfect for beginners to intermediate artists.
Happy painting!
- Dan Scott
Dan Scott is the founder of Draw Paint Academy. A self-taught artist from Australia, Dan has a passion for landscape painting. Along with his wife, Chontele, they run Draw Paint Academy, aiming to help artists get the most out of their art journey. You can learn more about them on the About page.
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Painting Simplification Techniques:
- Use of Larger Brushes: Employing bigger brushes helps simplify details in distant areas, forcing the artist to be more general in their approach, which is great for capturing broad atmospheric effects.
- Gradual Color Transition: Transitioning gradually from one color to another creates a sense of depth and distance, essential for achieving atmospheric perspective.
- Minimal Details: Reducing the number of details in a painting simplifies the composition and directs the viewer's attention to the main elements.
- Limited Palette: Using a limited color palette simplifies the painting process by reducing the number of colors to mix and balance, creating a cohesive look and emphasizing the overall mood of the painting.
Landscape painting, as demonstrated in Dan Scott's work, New Zealand, Autumn Colors, encourages artists to simplify the subject by breaking it down into basic shapes and colors, even when painting complex areas like leaves or distant landscapes. This home-and-garden setting painting, with its emphasis on large, simple shapes and colors, reflects the artist's lifestyle, acting as a reminder that simplification techniques can enhance one's art journey in both practice and appreciation.
