I hope you enjoy this recycled, edited and augmented post from January, 2016.
I've received lots of requests lately for advice about how to eliminate problem elements in a landscape when painting in plein air. There's a little process that might give you
some ideas about how to do that.
Here's a photo I found on Pixabay.
1. LOOK FOR EYE SORES (Such as tangents)
If I happened upon this scene while out looking for a subject to paint, I'd probably set up my easel and get ready to paint. But to begin working without looking for potential eye
sores would be a recipe for an inferior piece before even getting started. It's always a good idea to scrutinize what's in front of you before picking up a brush.
For one thing, that line where the grassy hill ends and the field begins forms a tangent with the roof of the house. I'd want to move that edge
down
LOOK FOR STUFF THAT WILL CLUTTER THE DESIGN
That clump of dirt to the left of the tree feels out of place. I would delete that.
The little light green bush in front is too isolated and adds clutter to an already busy scene. It's got to go.
LOOK FOR THINGS THAT CAUSE IMBALANCE
There's too much space on the left between the tree and the left edge AND that space is too much the same width of the tree. I'll crop that.
LOOK FOR THE CONFLICTING VALUE CONTRAST
For such a busy scene, the value contrast is too strong. To calm that down, I'll darken the sky a bit. This will help make the light on the house the focal point.
That really dark shadow edge between the grassy hill and the field is too harsh, splitting that area and causing it to attract too much attention. It needs to be subdued.
I'm still bothered by that empty space to the left side of the tree. It throws everything else out of balance, plus it doesn't do anything with the rest of the subject.
To eliminate that space, I'm leaning towards a vertical format, but I'd like to see what it might be like if I stick with a horizontal.
Yep, I think the vertical is the way to go.
ADDRESS ONLY ONE THING AT A TIME
An important thing to remember is to address only one thing at a time. You can always begin by looking for tangents, then look for the other things I've addressed here. It's also
important not to consider your final decisions carved in stone. When you begin the painting, there's no telling where it will want to go.
You can access the archive of all my newsletters at anytime by going HERE. |
