Creating beautiful landscapes with pastels can be both fun and rewarding! In this guide, we’ll explore three diverse techniques that will help you master the use of pastels in your landscape artwork. Each example includes a clear title, context, and practical notes to enhance your skills. Let’s dive in!
In this technique, we’ll focus on creating a soft, dreamy sky that can set the mood for any landscape. This is particularly useful for sunrises or sunsets, where the sky transitions through several colors.
Start with a textured pastel paper that can hold layers of color well. Choose soft pastels in shades of blue, pink, and orange. Begin by applying light strokes of blue at the top for your sky. Then, gradually blend in pink and orange hues closer to the horizon, where the sun is setting or rising.
To blend, use your fingers or a blending stump. Lightly rub the colors together to create a smooth transition. For added depth, go back with a light blue pastel to add wispy clouds by using a flicking motion. This gives a sense of movement and softness to your sky.
Notes: Experiment with different color combinations to see how they affect the mood of your artwork. For a more dramatic sky, consider using darker shades to create stormy weather effects.
This example focuses on depicting trees in your landscape, giving them a rich texture that brings them to life. This technique is great for forests or solitary trees in a field.
Begin with a mid-tone green pastel for the base of the tree. Apply this color to the trunk and branches, using vertical strokes to mimic the natural growth of the tree. Next, take a darker green pastel to add shadow and depth, particularly on one side of the trunk.
For the foliage, use a variety of greens and yellows. With a stippling technique, gently press the pastel onto the paper in small, dot-like applications to create the illusion of leaves. Layering different shades can produce a more realistic texture. Use a light-colored pastel to add highlights on the top of the foliage for a sunlit effect.
Variations: Try using a palette knife to scrape into the pastel for additional texture or incorporate other colors like reds or oranges in the foliage for autumn scenes.
Underpainting is a foundational technique that can add significant depth to your landscape. It’s particularly effective for rocky landscapes or mountains, where you want to establish a strong base before layering.
Start by applying a light wash of a complementary color across your landscape area using a soft pastel. For instance, if you’re depicting a rocky mountain scene, a light lavender or peach can set a beautiful tone. Allow this base to dry slightly, then overlay with your desired colors for the rocks and earth.
Use darker shades of gray, brown, or even blue to create the rock formations, applying them in circular motions to mimic the texture of the rocks. Gradually build up layers, allowing the underpainting to show through in places, which will create more visual interest.
Notes: You can also experiment with the underpainting by using water to blend the pastels or even use a wet brush to create a more fluid effect. This technique is excellent for landscapes where you want to create a dramatic atmosphere.
These examples of pastel techniques for landscape art are just the beginning! Each method can be adapted and personalized to suit your style. Remember to practice, be patient with yourself, and most importantly, have fun with your art. Happy drawing!