Want to start painting landscapes?
some of my favorite landscape art books!
I’ve talked to so many of you who are interested in learning how to paint landscapes but you aren’t sure where to start. I’ve listed some of my favorite books below as a good starting point but there are so many good resources that exist now. Youtube and Skillshare are also amazing tools for learning and I’ll share my favorite instructors soon! I found most of these books at my library or on Amazon. While these books help, remember that the MOST important way to improve your skill as an artist is to practice and experiment daily. Observe nature, play, and remember that you can always paint over anything you don’t like. ;)
"Landscape Painting Inside & Out" by Kevin Macpherson: This book provides valuable insights into the techniques and thought processes involved in plein air (outdoor) landscape painting. Macpherson shares his knowledge on composition, color, value, and more. Linked Here.
“Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting" by John F. Carlson: A classic in the field, this book offers comprehensive instruction on landscape painting principles and techniques. It covers topics like atmospheric perspective, light and shadow, design, and creating mood in your paintings. Linked Here.
“Landscape Painting: Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice" by Mitchell Albala: Albala explores the fundamental principles of landscape painting and provides practical advice on capturing the essence of nature. He covers topics like simplification, color mixing, and developing a personal style.
“The Elements of Landscape Oil Painting: Techniques for Rendering Sky, Terrain, Trees, and Water" by Suzanne Brooker: Brooker focuses on the technical aspects of landscape painting, offering step-by-step demonstrations and explanations of various techniques. She covers topics like underpainting, brushwork, color theory, and capturing different natural elements.
“The Oil Painting Course You've Always Wanted: Guided Lessons for Beginners and Experienced Artists" by Kathleen Lochen Staiger: While not exclusively focused on landscapes, this book provides a comprehensive guide to oil painting techniques. It covers topics like composition, color mixing, brushwork, and more, with examples and exercises that can be applied to landscape painting.
Happy Painting!
xx,
Megan
Materials Needed to Get Started in Oil Painting
You can be an oil painter!
I didn’t try oil painting until I was in my 30’s. I used to be very intimidated by it but now I’m hooked and I’m mad at myself for waiting so long to try them. I occasionally get asked about the materials I use in my process so thought I would share those here:
Oil Paints: Choose artist-grade oil paints in tubes. My favorite places to shop is Dick Blick and Jerry’s Artarama in Raleigh. I recommend starting with a basic palette, including primary colors (red, blue, and yellow), along with titanium white and black.
Painting Surface: You can paint on canvas, canvas boards, or primed wooden panels. Stretched canvas is the most popular choice. I also often paint on watercolor paper but I prime with gesso first then do a layer of acrylic paint.
Brushes: I recommend investing in a variety of brushes with different shapes and sizes. Hog bristle brushes are commonly used for oil painting, but you can also use synthetic brushes. Have a mix of round, flat, and filbert brushes for different techniques. I mostly use flat brushes (one large and one small) to begin my paintings but then fill in with other ones.
Palette: Get a palette to mix your paints. You can use a wooden palette or a disposable palette pad made of tear-off sheets. Some artists prefer glass palettes, as they are easy to clean. I love my glass palette but lately I’ve been using tear-off sheets for the ease of clean up. With 3 kids, ease is key!
Palette Knife: A palette knife is useful for mixing colors and creating textured effects. It's not essential, but it can be a super handy tool to have. I use my knife for laying impasto (thick strokes of paint) at the end of my painting to provide texture.
Solvents and Mediums: You'll need solvents for cleaning your brushes and mediums to modify the consistency and drying time of your paints. Common solvents include odorless mineral spirits or turpentine. Mediums like linseed oil, stand oil, or liquin can enhance the flow and texture of the paint. I use walnut oil as my medium and a lavender brush cleaner because they are less toxic than others. Try different ones until you decide what works best for you!
Palette Cups or Containers: These are used to hold your solvents and mediums while you paint. Make sure they have secure lids to prevent spills. You really don’t need anything fancy here! Glass jars with lids work perfectly fine!
Easel: An easel provides a stable support for your canvas while you paint. It can be a standing or tabletop easel, depending on your preference and workspace.
Rags or Paper Towels: Keep some rags or paper towels handy for wiping brushes, cleaning spills, or blotting excess paint. You can also use tissues! I never, ever throw out t-shirts any more—I use them to clean my brushes!
Varnish: A varnish should be applied as a final protective coat to your finished painting. It enhances the colors and provides a glossy or matte finish. You can choose between removable or permanent varnishes. I love Gamvar and often will use a mixture between gloss and matte finish.
Paint Palette or Knife Scraper: You may need a tool to scrape off excess paint from your palette or mix colors. A paint palette or knife scraper can be helpful for this purpose.
Brush Cleaner and Soap: Use a brush cleaner to remove oil paint from your brushes after painting. Brush soap can be used for deep cleaning and conditioning of brushes. For brushes you’ve forgotten about, you can always soak them in Murphy’s Soap.
Apron or Smock: Wearing an apron or smock can protect your clothes from paint stains and splatters.
That’s a start but I hope it helps!