3 Ways to Put a Sparkle in Your Landscape Painting - Painting & Drawing Tips

It's Spring and Time to Get Out There for Outdoor Sketching!!

But wait, it may be sunny but everything is still drab and black.  Where is the fun in sketching that?

First Spring Sketch - Derby Reach Trail

I think sketching on a gray day can really teach you how to make an interesting painting from something that might at first seem blah.  

(I do want to apologize to my readers still buried in winter.  Here on the southwest coast we are enjoying a VERY mild winter. Don't worry,  Spring is coming for you,  very soon. ) 

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See video version with more discussion on YouTube: 3 Ways to Put a Sparkle in Your Landscapes 

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Along the Derby Reach Trail

Painting any picture is capturing the essence and expressing it in your own way.  I consider myself a realist painter but at the same time I do have input in my work.  I love hiking through a forested area particularly when there is water near by.  So even if it appears gray and drab to others I still enjoy being there and my passion shows in my interpretation.  

As you can see from my picture of the trail,  there is a feeling of Spring in the air but from a distance things are predominately blacks and gray.  I was so happy to be outside sketching it really didn't bother me.  I just set up my things and jumped in.  

3 Ways to Put a Sparkle in Your Landscape Painting 

My yellows, greens and grays got a bit of a push as I painted them

1.  Push your Colours 

When I first looked at the underbrush it just looked gray.  But then I began to notice that there was a haze of colour on it.  Those green shoots made a light green glow on the bigger shrubs while others in the sunlight appeared more yellow. I used those colours as my base and gave them a push.  A light yellow became a little darker.  The hints of greens became more obvious.   Even the trees on closer inspection had lights and darks on them. I kept the darks dark but the light grays became more plentiful and lighter.  

Pushing your colours is a common thing to do in the summer but certainly a necessity at this time of year.  

Note the warm and cool yellows and greens

2.  Pay attention to Warm and Cool Colours 

This is particularly important as you push the colours to pay attention to warm and cold colors.  Note how the yellows in the long dead grasses are bright yellows (cool) in the sunshine and a more golden yellow (warm) as they face away from the sunlight.  Note how the bushes, trees and grasses all have cool and warm colours on them. 

Note the change with the grassy area in the foreground.  The grasses here in the sunshine are warm and bright.  While the shade is now the cool area. By reflecting this in my painting, it helps to add depth.  

Adding some red to the shrubs

3.  Add a bit of Red 

Years ago I took a few lessons from Robert Genn.  He always said that you needed to make sure there was a bit of red in the landscape.  I must admit when I first drop in the red it looks so bright and a bit out of place. But once it settles in, I can see what he means.  The red is going on top of other colours which changes it a bit and helps it blend in.  At the same time it also warms up the area.  The cool blacks and grays can always do with a bit of warmth for sure.  

Balancing and darkening the reds

Take a look at my video on YouTube: 3 Ways to Put a Sparkle in Your Landscapes.   Near the end you can see how much those little shots of red add to the painting.  

Upcoming Events: 

BECOME FRIENDS WITH YOUR PEN
 April 18, 9:30-1pm, Mission Clay WorX, 7560 Hurd St., 
Registration: Mission Arts Council 
Loosen up your lines and explore expressive pen work in this playful drawing workshop. All skill levels welcome—some watercolor included, but ink is the focus. Cost: $50 ($45 for members) Supplies List provided.

4-Day Outdoor Sketching Art Retreat in the Shuswap with Wendy Mould, hosted by Joanne Dennis, June 12-15, 2026.   All inclusive: food, instruction, accommodations and drive from Lower Mainland.  $100-$750 depending on room choices.   https://www.joannedennis.ca/events-list/aventurasretreats/

Outdoor Sketching Mini-Adventure: 

Join Wendy for 2.5 hr in local North Langley parks.  Practical instructions in gettin your sketch on paper and bringing your memories to life.  Mediums: pencil, pen & watercolour.  Dates: Wednesday or Thrusday, June 24/25, July 8/9, August 5/6 and Aug 12/13.  Individual $85 Small group 2 or 3, $65 ea.  Time: 10-12:30pm   Early evening is also a possibility.  

Always  Available at Art by Wendy's Studio

Original work, Commissions, Private Drawing Lessons, Prints and Cards of her Work, 

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Have a great Artful Day,