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, 

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Is Art Really just Patterns and Lines? - Painting and Drawing Tips

When you get up in the morning, Do you have coffee and sit? Eat breakfast? Go for a run? Pack a breakfast and head to work?

Rocky Road in the Creek Bed - 12 x 16 vanished on board - $650

Everyone has little routines:  Routines for meals; Routines for work; Routines for play.  They shape your day and they shape your life. 

I am a 'get up and eat person'.  I wake up with a bang and get busy with things.  My husband is the opposite.  He is a morning sitter.  Likes to relax, drink his coffee, then slowly get into breakfast mode.  I am long gone from the kitchen by then.  

Art making has its own routines.  How we plan, how we start, how we proceed.  

My latest picture "Rocky Road in the Creek Bed" is about routines and patterns.  The routines and patterns of my work.  

Reference Photo for Rocky Road in the Creek Bed 

The subject matter comes out of my walks and the pictures I take.  I love the mossy rocks nestled within a creek bed.  They would have so many stories to tell, if they could talk. 

This little creek is slow and quiet now on this summer day.  But in the fall the water will be raging by and there will be spawning salmon resting in every little hollow and backwater.  The creek is surrounded by large big old cottonwood trees, ready to fall with the next big storm.  Large cedars and firs amongst them, reaching for the sky, ready to take over the space.  Many of the firs and cedars are already over a hundred years old.  A magically place for me.  

Do you have a special routines that start you on your creative path?

As I work, I identify patterns to create: the flow of the rocks, the drape of the ferns in the background, the leaves on the little shrubs.  These are patterns I want.  I try to instill them into my painting to keep that sense of realism.  

But sometimes I create patterns I don't want. . . .

Rocky Road in the Creek Bed WIP - note the fast moving water 😟

It happened this time without my noticing.  I was working on the reflection in the water.  I wanted to be sure I had lots of colour.  I wanted those colours to be pure and to shine. I decided to use a medium wet brush and not let the colours mingle.  More of a brush stroke than a merged wash.  I had fun. I dropped different colours everywhere.  My eyes were dazzled. I was feeling really good.   You know the feeling.  

Then I stood back.

My quiet sunny spot in the creek bed had bumpy, flowing water.  What happened?  In creating my water reflections and patterns I hadn't noticed I was also creating a bigger pattern.  It was not what I wanted. 

I started to panic. 

Have you ever had those moments, when you are working on a piece?  I quickly dropped my brush and stepped back.  Time to think.  Patterns can be created and Patterns can be changed.  I picked up my pen and started working in the right corner.  Drawing in the water lines seem to settle down my rippling water.

I could see my way. . .. 

More lines were drawn and my water settled.  A new pattern had been created. 

 

Rocky Road in the Creek Bed WIP - note the changes to the water to make ii slow moving😀

As I studied my piece, I thought about patterns and lines.  There were patterns and lines everywhere.  Not just the obvious ones of rock formation and ferns but more subtle ones created by the flow of the colours, the sweeping lines of ink, and the hard and soft edges of shadows.  Do you see and feel them in your work as well?  

As an artist, you need to create patterns but at the same time be on guard.  Each small pattern joins together to create the big pattern which is your finished piece.  Just like each of your little daily routines join to form the routine of your day.  Keeping an eye on the big picture is just as important as each little part.  

Further reading: 

How to Paint the Background - Creating patterns in the background that support the foreground. 

Wendy is on Youtube:
Wendy has FREE Tips & Techniques on Video now, many with supporting blog posts and FREE download PDF's.  

See a full linked listing here - artbywendy.com - workshop - Videos by Wendy

OUTDOOR SKETCHING SEASON  is HERE!!

Next Sessions:  Wednesday, June 23 & Saturday, June 26 

10am - 12:30pm 

Great Weather forecast next week!!

Upcoming Dates: Wednesday  June 30 & July 14
Saturday, July 17

Twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, I will take small groups out for Outdoor Sketching.  Get Tips and Techniques for Sketching in Nature.  Beginners to Advanced Welcome. Max. 3 per class. (Other times available upon request) 

Mediums supported: pencil, pen, watercolour, watercolour pencils and coloured pencils 

Location: Parks in North Surrey and Langley

Cost: $50 per session

Supplies: Bring your own supplies, don't hesitate to contact me about your supplies

Rainy Days: Not fun to plein air in the rain.  You can defer to another available day or join me in my studio and work with me. (when Covid rules allow small inside gatherings) 

Contact Wendy to Book Your Spot!! 

Looking to Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

  Online Coaching/Teaching  (3 sessions 30 minutes each $75)

Are You and Your Inner Critic looking to expand your discussions.  Here's how it works: Send me a few pictures of your paintings.  I will prepare material to facilitate a discussion based on your goals.  I am a sounding board, coach and teacher,  with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to Zooming with you.  

  
Many find this post helpful: Turn your Inner Critic into your BFF

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy