Beginner's Guide: Nature Painting Tips & Techniques

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Painting nature can be a peaceful and rewarding activity, and with a few practical tips, you could be on your way to creating your own easy nature painting. If you're just starting out, it might seem a bit daunting, but don't worry! This guide is here to walk you through each step, making the process as simple as possible.

1. Choosing Your Palette

Before you begin your easy nature painting journey, you'll need to choose your color palette wisely. It's like selecting your tools before building a house—having the right colors makes the entire process smoother. Let's dive into the steps:

Exploring Color Theory

Color theory is like the secret sauce to painting—it helps you understand how colors work together. To keep it simple:

Primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. You can't make these from other colors.
Secondary colors are green, orange, and purple. You get these by mixing two primary colors.
Tertiary colors are created when you mix a primary color with a secondary color, like red-orange or blue-green.

Once you know this, you can create a harmonious color palette for your easy nature painting.

Selecting Colors from Nature

What's the best way to paint nature? Use nature itself as your guide! Look at the colors around you in the environment. If you're painting a forest, for example, you'll see various shades of green, brown, and maybe some yellows and grays. Try to match these colors on your palette. Don't forget—you can create a multitude of shades by simply adding white or black to your base color.

Mixing Your Own Colors

Now that you've chosen your colors, it's time to get mixing. Start with your base colors and mix them together to create new ones. Remember, you don't need to buy every color in the store. With the right knowledge of color theory, you can make any color you need. Here's a tip: write down the colors you mix. That way, if you need to recreate a color, you'll know exactly how to do it. Happy painting!

2. Mastering Brush Techniques

Once you've got your palette sorted, the next step in creating an easy nature painting is mastering your brush techniques. Just like a pianist knows their scales, a painter needs to know their brush strokes. Let's get started:

Brush Strokes 101

Brush strokes are the building blocks of your painting. They are what give your painting texture, depth, and detail. Here are a few basics to keep in mind:

Horizontal strokes: These are great for calm and still subjects like lakes or fields.
Vertical strokes: Use these for things that are tall and upright like trees or mountains.
Diagonal strokes: These strokes suggest movement and direction. Think of a windy day or a flowing river.
Short strokes: These can be used to create texture and detail. For example, the leaves on a tree or blades of grass.

Practice these strokes, and you'll be well on your way to creating your masterpiece.

Using Different Brush Sizes

Just like you wouldn't use a sledgehammer to hang a picture, you wouldn't use a large brush to paint tiny details. Here's a simple rule of thumb: use large brushes for large areas and smaller brushes for smaller details. Remember, the size of the brush can dramatically affect the outcome of your painting, so choose wisely!

Managing Water and Paint Load

Water is to a painter what flour is to a baker—it's all about getting the right consistency. If your paint is too thick, it won't spread easily. If it's too thin, it won't cover the canvas. Start by wetting your brush and loading it with paint. Then, test it on a scrap piece of paper. If it's too thick, add a bit more water. If it's too thin, add more paint.

Remember, practice makes perfect. So, grab your brushes and get painting!

3. Applying Layers

Moving on from brush techniques, let's dive into the next step of our easy nature painting journey—applying layers. If painting is a language, consider layers as your sentences, helping you build a coherent and captivating story. Here's what you need to know:

Understanding Underpainting

Underpainting is a bit like laying the foundation for a house. It sets the tone for your painting and helps bring out the richness of the colors you'll apply later. Start with a basic, monochromatic version of your painting. This doesn't have to be detailed—it's just a guide for where everything goes. Once dry, you'll apply your colors on top. The underpainting will shine through subtly, adding depth and dimension to your work.

Building Up Colors

Now that you have your underpainting, it's time to bring your painting to life with colors. Here's a simple approach: start with your lightest colors and gradually add your darker ones. This technique, known as 'glazing', creates a luminous effect as the light travels through the layers of paint, bounces off the underpainting, and reflects back to the viewer. It's a little bit of science that can make a big difference in your painting.

Creating Texture with Layers

Texture in a painting is like seasoning in a dish—it can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. And the secret to creating texture? Layers. Whether you're painting the rough bark of a tree or the smooth surface of a lake, layers can help you achieve the desired effect. Apply your paint thickly in some areas and thinly in others. Use different brush strokes. Experiment and see what works best for you. Remember, painting is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the process!

4. Painting Different Nature Elements

Now that we've mastered the art of layering, let's move on to the heart of easy nature painting — capturing the varied elements of nature itself. From the rustling leaves of the trees to the serene skies, let's discover how to paint these elements effectively.

Trees and Foliage

Trees are nature's own sculptures, and painting them can be a joy. Start with the trunk, using vertical brush strokes for texture. For the leaves, don't get stuck on painting each one. Instead, think of them as groups or clusters and paint them that way. Don't forget to vary your greens—no tree is uniformly coloured. Incorporate yellows, browns, and even blues to create a realistic effect.

Skies and Clouds

Skies set the mood of your nature painting. For a calm, sunny day, use a gradient of blues, lighter at the horizon and darker at the top. For clouds, remember they are not just white. Add grays, yellows or pinks depending on the time of day. Keep your brush strokes soft and blend the edges well to achieve the fluffy, airy feel of the clouds.

Water and Reflections

Painting water can seem challenging, but it's all about observing and understanding its nature. Water is a mirror, reflecting the world around it. So, the color of your water largely depends on its surroundings. Remember, horizontal brush strokes work best for still water, while choppy, irregular strokes can create the effect of moving water. And for those mirror-like reflections, paint a lighter, somewhat distorted version of the object being reflected.

5. Practicing En Plein Air

Now that we've tackled painting different nature elements, let's step outside and dive into the world of plein air. Plein air painting is the act of painting outdoors. It's a fantastic way to connect with nature and observe colors, lights, and shapes directly. Here's how you can get started with this immersive form of easy nature painting.

Choosing a Location

The world is your oyster when it comes to choosing a location for plein air painting. However, for beginners, it's better to start with simpler landscapes. A local park, a quiet street, or even your own backyard could be perfect starting points. The key is to find a place that inspires you but isn't overly complicated to paint.

Packing for Plein Air

When it comes to plein air painting, less is more. You want to be mobile and not weighed down by tons of supplies. A basic setup could include a portable easel, a palette, brushes, paints, a water container, and canvas or paper. Don't forget to pack a hat, sunscreen, and a comfortable chair!

Observing and Sketching

Before you start painting, take some time to observe your surroundings. Notice the colors, the light, and the composition. Sketching your scene before painting can be a great way to familiarize yourself with the elements and plan your painting. Allow yourself to enjoy this process, as it is an integral part of the plein air experience.

If you're looking to further develop your nature painting skills and discover your own artistic style, don't miss the workshop 'Expressing Your Unique Artistic Vision' by Michael Ryan. This workshop will guide you through various techniques and tips to help you express your unique vision in your nature paintings.