Efficient drawing tips for landscape drawing
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How to make fast progress in drawing landscapes (and other things)
There are eight drawing tips listed how to improve your landscape drawing skills efficiently and fast. Everybody who can write her/his own name on a piece of paper can achieve a high level of drawing skills as writing and drawing require in principle the same capabilities of hand and eye co-ordination. Landscape drawing can be learned and it gives so much pleasure !
See a selection of examples drawings and sketches and get access to numerous drawings in landscape artist sketchbooks for your inspiration.
Link to webalbums of my sketches and drawings
More of my drawing lenses:
How to draw a tree
Landscape drawing - Improve your skills
Forest diary
How to draw a pine tree
How to draw deciduous trees (mostly apple trees:).)
How to draw a simple leaf
How to draw coniferous trees (some spruce trees)
How to draw buildings and houses
Drawing the urban landscape
Draw people in a landscape
The self portrait - somewhat of an adventure
Face drawing - some tips
Artists sketchbooks - little nothings turn into big somethings
Sketching gear - a guide for beginners
Drawing the urban landscape
How to draw with a pen
How to draw a straight line
Link to my publication on Blurb "Drawing the urban landscape"
See a selection of examples drawings and sketches and get access to numerous drawings in landscape artist sketchbooks for your inspiration.
Link to webalbums of my sketches and drawings
More of my drawing lenses:
How to draw a tree
Landscape drawing - Improve your skills
Forest diary
How to draw a pine tree
How to draw deciduous trees (mostly apple trees:).)
How to draw a simple leaf
How to draw coniferous trees (some spruce trees)
How to draw buildings and houses
Drawing the urban landscape
Draw people in a landscape
The self portrait - somewhat of an adventure
Face drawing - some tips
Artists sketchbooks - little nothings turn into big somethings
Sketching gear - a guide for beginners
Drawing the urban landscape
How to draw with a pen
How to draw a straight line
Link to my publication on Blurb "Drawing the urban landscape"
Image credits: All images on this webpage ,if not otherwise stated, are creations by the author.
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Landscape drawing TIP No.1 - Forget the eraser !
Miles Davis : "Do not fear mistakes, there are none."
I have no eraser ! Every line you draw counts and is important. Knowing this will give your drawings the necessary drive and the motivation to accept your own handwrite. Your own handwrite is the basis for a unique artistic developement ! Do you want to erase that ??
Landscape drawing TIP No.2 - Blind drawing ..blind drawing....blind drawing
Blind drawing often also called blind contour drawing is a method that occurs in all serious drawing lessons and books.
Blind drawing means that you draw without looking at your drawing paper, but following your subject with your eyes and to make notes of what you see on your paper at the same time. I found it extremely helpful on drawing trees.
Blind drawing is a well known thing in the drawing world, but not many people practise it ! So my advice is don´t forget that, do it and try to remember this each time you start a drawing.
The training effect is absolutely great. Within 2 weeks of 15 minutes of blind drawing per day you can make unbelievable progress! Blind drawing will keep your work vivid.. it is a real ANTI-STIFFENER
Blind drawing means that you draw without looking at your drawing paper, but following your subject with your eyes and to make notes of what you see on your paper at the same time. I found it extremely helpful on drawing trees.
Blind drawing is a well known thing in the drawing world, but not many people practise it ! So my advice is don´t forget that, do it and try to remember this each time you start a drawing.
The training effect is absolutely great. Within 2 weeks of 15 minutes of blind drawing per day you can make unbelievable progress! Blind drawing will keep your work vivid.. it is a real ANTI-STIFFENER
Landscape drawing TIP No.3 - Drawing negative forms or space
Imagine you want to draw a net of thick ropes. Drawing negative forms means that you don´t try to draw the outlines of the ropes, but the outlines of the empty space in between the ropes.
Negative forms can be seen almost everywhere. Drawing negative spaces makes things quite often much easier, than following complicated outlines of positive forms. Also drawing negative forms helps quickly to develop stronger observations skills.
Link tipp: DRAWING "NEGATIVE" SPACE
description by Robert Gardiner, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Negative forms can be seen almost everywhere. Drawing negative spaces makes things quite often much easier, than following complicated outlines of positive forms. Also drawing negative forms helps quickly to develop stronger observations skills.
Link tipp: DRAWING "NEGATIVE" SPACE
description by Robert Gardiner, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Landscape drawing TIP No.4 - Squinting to see values and simple forms
By squinting with your eyes (remember Dustin Hoffmann
in "Little big man" :).) it is easier to see the different tonalities, the patterns of dark and light forms, the contrast between light and shadows in the scenery in front of you.
Link Tipp:
Squinting, Drawing and Never Forgetting
By R.W. STEVENSON
Published: July 11, 2004
in "Little big man" :).) it is easier to see the different tonalities, the patterns of dark and light forms, the contrast between light and shadows in the scenery in front of you.
Link Tipp:
Squinting, Drawing and Never Forgetting
By R.W. STEVENSON
Published: July 11, 2004
Landscape drawing TIP No.5 - Take measurements !
Handling of the proportions is mostly considered an important issue. "Oh I don´t get the proportions right !" How many times is this said and thought ?
There is a way to eliminate that question. Take measurements and start to train your eye.
Use a little stick or your pencil as reference.
Select an important or clear line in the motif as metrestick. Stretch our your arm as far as you can (in order to get same scale each time) and then measure how long is that roof top for example and how long is that window frame in comparison to that. How tall is the chimney in comparison to your "roof top metrestick" and so on.
As time goes by you won´t need much of measurements anymore. You will get rid of wrong proportions quickly if you decide to use the measurements intensly until you don´t need them anymore.
You will learn quickly to place your drawing in the right size so it fits onto your paper, you will be able to estimate lengths and distances amazingly correct. Fractions like 1:2 ,1:4, 1:3,2:3, etc. will be no problem any more.
There is a way to eliminate that question. Take measurements and start to train your eye.
Use a little stick or your pencil as reference.
Select an important or clear line in the motif as metrestick. Stretch our your arm as far as you can (in order to get same scale each time) and then measure how long is that roof top for example and how long is that window frame in comparison to that. How tall is the chimney in comparison to your "roof top metrestick" and so on.
As time goes by you won´t need much of measurements anymore. You will get rid of wrong proportions quickly if you decide to use the measurements intensly until you don´t need them anymore.
You will learn quickly to place your drawing in the right size so it fits onto your paper, you will be able to estimate lengths and distances amazingly correct. Fractions like 1:2 ,1:4, 1:3,2:3, etc. will be no problem any more.
Landscape drawing TIP No.6 - Use construction lines
Construction lines are imagined connections between to points in your drawing or an elongation of a line.
If your not sure what the inclination of the roof is for example just elongate the roof edge until it hits another line. Use your pencil or a small stick again to take aim. Thus it is very easy to find a second point in your drawing to confirm the real inclination of lines or planes.
Possible useful constructionlines in this drawing:
If you are not sure about the angle of the church roof just elongate a line (no3) until it hits the vertical no1 almost exactly on the border of the drawing. The elongation of the roof line represented by no.4 hits the church door in the lower right edge of the forth window (left row of windows). Line number 2 connects the balcony of the big building on the right with a prominent edge of a tall building on the left. This way you can develop a grid work that connects the parts of the composition into an image that makes sense to the viewer. Of course it is helpful to understand the theory of perspective, but in practise it is much easier to work with construction lines.
Click on image to enlarge.
If your not sure what the inclination of the roof is for example just elongate the roof edge until it hits another line. Use your pencil or a small stick again to take aim. Thus it is very easy to find a second point in your drawing to confirm the real inclination of lines or planes.
Possible useful constructionlines in this drawing:
If you are not sure about the angle of the church roof just elongate a line (no3) until it hits the vertical no1 almost exactly on the border of the drawing. The elongation of the roof line represented by no.4 hits the church door in the lower right edge of the forth window (left row of windows). Line number 2 connects the balcony of the big building on the right with a prominent edge of a tall building on the left. This way you can develop a grid work that connects the parts of the composition into an image that makes sense to the viewer. Of course it is helpful to understand the theory of perspective, but in practise it is much easier to work with construction lines.
Click on image to enlarge. Drawing the urban landscape
Exploring the city with a sketchbook
Between April 2006 and May 2007 I have worked on an exhibition project about the urban landscape of the city of Stuttgart,Germany.
I have selected more than 30 drawings for a book now available online at BLURB.
The first 10 pages show panoramic drawings together with the essay about the urban landscape and the experience of drawing such a complex subject. The following pages show two panoramic drawings per page without text.
I have selected more than 30 drawings for a book now available online at BLURB.
The first 10 pages show panoramic drawings together with the essay about the urban landscape and the experience of drawing such a complex subject. The following pages show two panoramic drawings per page without text.
Click on the image to start the preview on Blurb.com
Drawing the urban landscape
Drawing TIP No.7 - go into the zoo and get into the flow
With increasing exercise your drawing speed will increase. Also you will find your personal work flow. Most people do not recognize how fast they are drawing when they are in the flow.
To get into the flow while drawing is a wonderful experinece. Everything seems to happen easily without tension just as if you were knitting :).
Drawing moving animals forces you to be fast and almost within minutes most people adjust to the new situation an skip all rational reflections and internal self-dialog and just dive into the visual encounter !
When you come up to the surface again you will feel great ! Drawing a landcape and/ or architecture shortly afterwards is like getting into extrem slow motion and goes much,much easier.
How did I do this drawing:
Everybody who has been watching animals in a zoo knows that animals unfortunate enough to live in cages or aquariums develop an individual moving pattern within the space they can roam.
So instead of trying to draw one fish after the other I worked short sequences on those fish who had taken a specific resting position for a minute or so. When my model moved I looked for the next fish in another resting position. So in fact I always worked on a fish that did NOT move! Some of the fishes are one and the same individual (the big one watched me very interested !)and O.K. the turtle was easy...:).
To get into the flow while drawing is a wonderful experinece. Everything seems to happen easily without tension just as if you were knitting :).
Drawing moving animals forces you to be fast and almost within minutes most people adjust to the new situation an skip all rational reflections and internal self-dialog and just dive into the visual encounter !
When you come up to the surface again you will feel great ! Drawing a landcape and/ or architecture shortly afterwards is like getting into extrem slow motion and goes much,much easier.
How did I do this drawing:
Everybody who has been watching animals in a zoo knows that animals unfortunate enough to live in cages or aquariums develop an individual moving pattern within the space they can roam.
So instead of trying to draw one fish after the other I worked short sequences on those fish who had taken a specific resting position for a minute or so. When my model moved I looked for the next fish in another resting position. So in fact I always worked on a fish that did NOT move! Some of the fishes are one and the same individual (the big one watched me very interested !)and O.K. the turtle was easy...:).
Drawing TIP No.8 - regular exercise !
If you want to improve your skills repeated exercise is the key. Everybody has his/her own preferences and possibilities to exercise on a regular basis. Similar to sports it is better to practise every day for 15 minutes instead 90 minutes only once a week.
My reading tip : Beginners guide to drawing
Great drawing tip by Michele Weller
The extra tip - 36 pages great sketching advice from 1900
Sketching from nature in line and tone
This is a great find on the net. A fully digitalised version of a book by J. Littlejohns
in the library of the university of San Diego,California. It contains great illustrations and practical advice !
in the library of the university of San Diego,California. It contains great illustrations and practical advice !
- Sketching from Nature
- SKETCHING FROM NATURE IN LINE AND TONE
BY J. LITTLEJOHNS, R.B.A., A.R.B.C.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 5,Chapter I. MATERIALS 7,II. HOW TO BEGIN 10,III. DRAWING 16,IV. TREES 19,V. DISTANCE 23,VI. CLOUDS, WATER, AND RE-
FLECTIONS 28,VII. WASH DRAWING 31,VIII. CHALK DRAWING .. ..34
Two awsome stories about people who make their living by drawing
I stumbled into this stories which I can relate to so much. When it come to drawing talent is one thing, but it is not everything. Most people are not prepared to pay the price for aquiring drawing skills: time and practise.
These stories are a great motivation.
These stories are a great motivation.
- Neuland - Dialog: A QUESTION OF WILL MORE THAN TALENT
- The story of Jørn Nielsen who was told that he could never make a living out of his drawing skills.
- Neuland - Dialog: I do my two favorite things for a living: drawing and thinking.
- I do my two favorite things for a living: drawing and thinking.
Interview with Brandy Agerbeck, Chicago
More drawing lenses by Edition Handdruck
- How to draw a tree
- Find a collection of tree drawings and explanations how they have been done. Get inspired by famous examples and have a look at online drawing tutorials. Find your own way how to draw a tree.
- How to draw a pine tree
- Ten typical features of pine trees are explained and shown in a big size image of a pine tree drawing study. Learn about drawing a realistic looking pine tree. See more examples, get inspirations for own drawings here.
- How to draw buildings and houses
- Do you want to draw or sketch houses ? Get some ideas, tips on how to draw and sketch buildings. Some basic explanations on perspective are given. However focus here is mainly to inspire you for own explorations. Some practical tips how to draw houses and buildings in a convincing way are given.
- Sketching gear - what does the beginner need ?
- Sketching outdoors is a great activity and a rewarding hobby for everyone. This lens is for those how want to start sketching outdoors in the city or in rural landscape. What sketching gear would you need to have with you? What kind of gear is suitable and what should the quality be like ?
- Artist sketchbooks - little nothings turn into big somethings
- For decades artist sketchbooks have only been noticed by a limited specialist audience which got access to those precious resources mostly only after the death of the creator. Excerpts might have been published in print media, but mostly only at the price of damaging or destroying the sketchbooks.
- How to draw deciduous trees
- This is an introduction to drawing decidous trees from life.MPM, Monotype printmaker Martin explains how he draws decidous trees with a pen and with charcoal. There are no rules in drawing,everybody can develop a very own way to draw a tree. No academic or other method shall be promoted,rather than
- How to draw with a pen - pen drawing
- Pens are very versatile drawing and sketching tools. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of using a pen. See how you might expand the use of your pen (s) to develop your own drawing style.Get inspiration from example pen drawings.
- How to draw a straight line
- Learn how to draw a straight line without a ruler - a simple trick will help a lot to improve your freehand drawn straight lines.
Drawing books on Amazon
When it comes to drawing books Bert Dodson is my favorite. His first book "Keys to drawing" set an unbeaten standard from my point of view.
Visit Bert Dodson in his atelier artwork
Visit Bert Dodson in his atelier artwork
How to draw a tree - a paperback published on BLURB
The little book in format 8X5 is based on the content of this lens. It contains 70 black and white images of pen, ink and charcoal drawings. You will find many of the illustrations on this lens, but others also from related lenses on drawing deciduous and coniferous trees and some extra images too in the book.The book summarizes my experiences in drawing trees. The majority of drawings are deciduous trees, but there is also an explanations about pine tree drwaing and spruce.
Link to the book How to draw a tree There is a full preview available.
Great drawing links on the net
- Learn to Draw: Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.
- For people who are learning to draw, teaching drawing or want to enhance creativity, a theory and set of techniques with accompanying materials and classes.
The classic start up for drawing after Betty Edwards Method. - Squidoo lens Drawing
- A lens by artist John N. Stewart about drawing with lots of links to online
resources.
My favorite link from that lens is:
Visual thinking :Archive of American Sketchbooks - Urban Sketchers
- Blog of urban sketchers worldwide !
Landscape drawings - reproduction prints for sale on Zazzle
Rural landscapes by editionha
Sell artwork online with zazzle.
All of my drawings are done on site,whereas in the 19th century it was a usual manner to design picturesque landscapes from fantasy. Local studies were mostly used as "material" for the later compositions. However after Claude Lorrain drawing and painting on site became more and more popular until the movement culminated in Impressionism in the late 19 th century.
I hope you enjoyed your visit ...feel free to leave your comment here
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xisniel
May 29, 2012 @ 7:04 am | delete
- Great tips, thank you! I love drawing, but somehow the landscape is always the most difficult part.
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RuralFrance
May 11, 2012 @ 7:04 am | delete
- What a great lens! It makes me want to get my pencils out again :)
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Agha Ata My email address: aghataa25@yahoo.com
May 1, 2012 @ 2:45 pm | delete
- I am dying to learn landscape drawing. I am basically a dioram modeler and I need to draw rural landscapes before I make them. How can I learn rural landscaping? Please advice.
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EditionH
May 2, 2012 @ 2:31 am | delete
- Hi, I am not sure whether I can help you as I think you need drawing skills which landscape architects have rather than mere artistic skills.I guess you need to draw also aireal views or kind of maps or plans too.
What I would suggest is to study and copy landscape drawings of the 18th/19th century in particular dutch landscape drawings. Also I would try to get as much material about landscape and garden design to learn about
drawing maps and plans. (names to google Caspar van wittel,Canaletto, Gustav Carus, check out this wikis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboccianti and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landscape_art
Parallel to that I think you need to train your imagination. I would start a sketchbook in which I would draw small landscape sceneries from memory or imagination. If you do not have the technical skills yet to draw your imaginations I would make written notes about those landscape ideas describing them in words so that you can draw them later after you have learned the drawing skills from practical drawing studies either from existing images or from nature. This will train your imagination and will grwo into a stock of landscape element ideas over time that you can use over and over. Many artists in the 18th century did that sort of work by combining their favorite landscape elements like hills,waterfalls,ruins, group of trees, single big trees etc. in variations.
I hope that helps....
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JoyfulReviewer
Apr 24, 2012 @ 3:53 pm | delete
- You've produced another great resource, full of lots of helpful tips, resources, and drawing examples. Like your nice, clean layout. ~~Blessed~~
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How to draw a tree - Weblog on tree drawing
by EditionH
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How to draw a tree - a nature and lenadscape sketching weblog
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