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The Elements of Landscape Oil Painting: Techniques for Rendering Sky, Terrain, Trees, and Water
A landscape painting guide for oil painters that breaks landscapes down into component elements from nature, and showcases tools and techniques used by classic and modern oil painters for bringing these scenes to life.
Landscape painting is one of the most popular subjects for painters working in the medium of oils--from classic masters to contemporary artists. In The Elements of Landscape Oil Painting , established Watson-Guptill author and noted instructor/painter Suzanne Brooker presents the fundamentals necessary for mastering landscape oil painting, breaking landscapes down into component sky, terrain, trees, and water. Each featured element builds off the previous, with additional lessons on the latest brushes, paints, and other tools used by artists. Key methods like observation, rendering, and color mixing are supported by demonstration paintings and samples from a variety of the best landscape oil painters of all time. With The Elements of Landscape Oil Painting , oil painters looking to break into landscape painting or enhance their work will find all the necessary ingredients for success.
Landscape painting is one of the most popular subjects for painters working in the medium of oils--from classic masters to contemporary artists. In The Elements of Landscape Oil Painting , established Watson-Guptill author and noted instructor/painter Suzanne Brooker presents the fundamentals necessary for mastering landscape oil painting, breaking landscapes down into component sky, terrain, trees, and water. Each featured element builds off the previous, with additional lessons on the latest brushes, paints, and other tools used by artists. Key methods like observation, rendering, and color mixing are supported by demonstration paintings and samples from a variety of the best landscape oil painters of all time. With The Elements of Landscape Oil Painting , oil painters looking to break into landscape painting or enhance their work will find all the necessary ingredients for success.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published August 18, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 10, 2018
A marvelous book!
The author, Suzanne Brooker, provides a broad and comprehensive view of landscape painting that is technically challenging, but written in an inspiring way.
A beginning painter might find this a little above their level, but I would say that anyone who has at least two years of painting experience should be able to gain from this book.
The subtitle "Techniques for rendering sky, terrain, trees, and water" accurately explains Brooker's approach to the topic. Looking at these elements separately, and then "Putting it all together" in the last chapter should help any artist seeking to improve their understanding and ability to paint the landscape.
A great book on this subject and worth the time spent.
The author, Suzanne Brooker, provides a broad and comprehensive view of landscape painting that is technically challenging, but written in an inspiring way.
A beginning painter might find this a little above their level, but I would say that anyone who has at least two years of painting experience should be able to gain from this book.
The subtitle "Techniques for rendering sky, terrain, trees, and water" accurately explains Brooker's approach to the topic. Looking at these elements separately, and then "Putting it all together" in the last chapter should help any artist seeking to improve their understanding and ability to paint the landscape.
A great book on this subject and worth the time spent.
February 26, 2016
Suzanne Brooker’s THE ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE OIL PAINTING
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
Some of you may know that in addition to my reading, blogging, house repair personae I am also a painter. I am not a painter of any renown but it is something with which I identify and very important to me.
I love to paint in oils, from live models, from still life arrangements, and I aspire to painting landscapes. For me, landscapes are the hardest subject to compose and paint. And, I am going to a workshop this summer on landscape painting. I thought this book would be a tremendous help to me.
I almost panic as I begin to paint a landscape these are some of the thoughts that go through my head:
Why won’t that damn sun stay still?
What is the focus?
Too much green, TOO MUCH green. (Oddly I don’t panic on blue when doing sky or water).
I do take photos of the scene, but aghh, trust me it is still the hardest thing. Actually, it ties with complicated masses (like a bunch of hangars or a bowl of tiny berries).
Enter this tome, THE ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE PAINTING, Techniques for Rendering Sky, Terrain, Trees and Water by Susan Brooker. She is apparently a very well known and considered art educator and painter. And her talent and technical knowledge run very deep.
This is an excellent resource for artists who paint in oil, but it is not the kind of book you read cover to cover. It is a large format book and hard to hold comfortably for that type of reading.
And, it is supposed to be aimed at intermediate painters but it is bogged down in a lot of information that I would probably place in a beginners class. It has a lot of information that intermediates already have and, for me, it was confusing. I have been taking classes at the art college here since 1995 and never heard of some of the things she shows. She presents lists of supplies, how to hold a brush how to prepare a canvas, and more. It took away from the book’s impact. The book hovers somewhere between belonging in the reference category and attempting to be a course in landscape painting.
Also, she is a much more technical and methodical painter than I am.
But, I also found a lot of really good information like asking the question, “What do I See?” in composing a painting. This question is really vital and was like a light bulb turning on. The question doesn’t ask “What is there?” It asks, “What do I see that makes me want to paint this?”
If I had received nothing more than this from the book it would be worth it, but there is a ton of information that I can see myself using a I approach a painting. And it is certainly beautiful to look at. There are dozens of seriously beautiful landscape paintings and drawings. I could just look through it as a coffee table book. I also think much of the information presented would apply to painting the still life.
If you have an interest in painting the landscape in oils I highly recommend this tremendous resource.
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
Some of you may know that in addition to my reading, blogging, house repair personae I am also a painter. I am not a painter of any renown but it is something with which I identify and very important to me.
I love to paint in oils, from live models, from still life arrangements, and I aspire to painting landscapes. For me, landscapes are the hardest subject to compose and paint. And, I am going to a workshop this summer on landscape painting. I thought this book would be a tremendous help to me.
I almost panic as I begin to paint a landscape these are some of the thoughts that go through my head:
Why won’t that damn sun stay still?
What is the focus?
Too much green, TOO MUCH green. (Oddly I don’t panic on blue when doing sky or water).
I do take photos of the scene, but aghh, trust me it is still the hardest thing. Actually, it ties with complicated masses (like a bunch of hangars or a bowl of tiny berries).
Enter this tome, THE ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE PAINTING, Techniques for Rendering Sky, Terrain, Trees and Water by Susan Brooker. She is apparently a very well known and considered art educator and painter. And her talent and technical knowledge run very deep.
This is an excellent resource for artists who paint in oil, but it is not the kind of book you read cover to cover. It is a large format book and hard to hold comfortably for that type of reading.
And, it is supposed to be aimed at intermediate painters but it is bogged down in a lot of information that I would probably place in a beginners class. It has a lot of information that intermediates already have and, for me, it was confusing. I have been taking classes at the art college here since 1995 and never heard of some of the things she shows. She presents lists of supplies, how to hold a brush how to prepare a canvas, and more. It took away from the book’s impact. The book hovers somewhere between belonging in the reference category and attempting to be a course in landscape painting.
Also, she is a much more technical and methodical painter than I am.
But, I also found a lot of really good information like asking the question, “What do I See?” in composing a painting. This question is really vital and was like a light bulb turning on. The question doesn’t ask “What is there?” It asks, “What do I see that makes me want to paint this?”
If I had received nothing more than this from the book it would be worth it, but there is a ton of information that I can see myself using a I approach a painting. And it is certainly beautiful to look at. There are dozens of seriously beautiful landscape paintings and drawings. I could just look through it as a coffee table book. I also think much of the information presented would apply to painting the still life.
If you have an interest in painting the landscape in oils I highly recommend this tremendous resource.
November 13, 2020
A terrific instructional book for painters, in acrylics as well as oils I applied principles I learned in Ms. Brooker's text to a recent plein air painting session and was pleased at how improved my landscape effort was.
I took notes on this book, but would like to go through it again and do the demonstration exercises.
I took notes on this book, but would like to go through it again and do the demonstration exercises.
February 5, 2022
This is the best book on landscape oil painting I have ever read. Brings you straight through from priming your canvas, creating your palette to brush strokes and ways to see the world to create a good composition. Got it from the library but I think I'll have to buy a copy
November 2, 2019
Illuminating!
August 21, 2021
This was a really good instructional book. It explains a lot of basic, and not so basic, fundamentals very thoroughly.
November 30, 2022
A gem, inspiring, a must to anyone who loves painting landscapes, the color study through the different examples is superb, it leaves your brain full of new ideas.
January 8, 2016
I got a serious rush of happiness the day this The Elements of Landscape Oil Painting showed up on my doorstep! For intermediate level artists, this is a wonderful resource for taking paintings to the next level. Each section explores an element of the landscape in depth, then provides several step by step examples. The author goes over strategies for rendering skies, water, earth, and trees, then puts them all together in the final chapter. I like her methodical approach to painting and her patient building up of layers to get the effect she wants.The thing I like about this book is that it offers new ideas and advice for intermediate artists. The author assumes you are already familiar with painting supplies and basic techniques, and she builds up from there.
I learned a lot from this book. In college, we used a limited palette of the three primary colors plus white. Black was banned from our supplies. I love the way Suzanne uses black as another color, another tool in her toolbox. She talks extensively on toning your canvas and how to choose the right tone to compliment your painting. She believes in planning out your painting and has some great ideas on how to do that so you can get better results. I love the advice she offers in this area. Her ideas are extremely helpful!
I'm so happy I read this book. I love the instruction on glazing and building up layers of paint. I can't wait to put this information to use.
Content: Clean
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.
My blog: Batch of Books
I learned a lot from this book. In college, we used a limited palette of the three primary colors plus white. Black was banned from our supplies. I love the way Suzanne uses black as another color, another tool in her toolbox. She talks extensively on toning your canvas and how to choose the right tone to compliment your painting. She believes in planning out your painting and has some great ideas on how to do that so you can get better results. I love the advice she offers in this area. Her ideas are extremely helpful!
I'm so happy I read this book. I love the instruction on glazing and building up layers of paint. I can't wait to put this information to use.
Content: Clean
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.
My blog: Batch of Books
June 3, 2015
"The Elements of Landscape Oil Painting" is a "how-to" instruction book for oil painters who want to improve their landscape painting. The author broke the process down into the most basic steps, like closely looking at the subject, the different types of brush strokes used to make different textures, and choosing toned grounds that enhance the colors used over it. Since she went into detail before the demonstrations, I found them more useful than art books where it's more the artist vaguely explaining the colors and order that he used. Her demonstrations show how to put all the previous information together.
She started the book with the typical materials section. She assumed the reader has a certain familiarity with oil painting. For example, she did describe how to apply a toned ground but didn't provide a picture of the process. She gets basic with the landscape painting sections, and she devoted a chapter each to sky, terrain, trees, water, and then putting it all together. Within each section, she discussed observation, brush strokes, and colors, and then did demonstration paintings showing step-by-step how to put this information to work.
I felt like the author was both a good painter and good instructor. I'm still a beginner at landscape oil painting, and information in this book has helped me to improve my landscapes. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those--like me--who are trying to learn landscape oil painting without an instructor.
I received this ebook as a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley.
She started the book with the typical materials section. She assumed the reader has a certain familiarity with oil painting. For example, she did describe how to apply a toned ground but didn't provide a picture of the process. She gets basic with the landscape painting sections, and she devoted a chapter each to sky, terrain, trees, water, and then putting it all together. Within each section, she discussed observation, brush strokes, and colors, and then did demonstration paintings showing step-by-step how to put this information to work.
I felt like the author was both a good painter and good instructor. I'm still a beginner at landscape oil painting, and information in this book has helped me to improve my landscapes. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those--like me--who are trying to learn landscape oil painting without an instructor.
I received this ebook as a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley.
January 9, 2016
Good Material for Beginners and More Advanced Painters
The first thing I noticed about this book is the skillful use of paintings to illustrate the points being made. This starts in the Foreword where Lundin uses his own paintings to illustrate how painting is a process of molding the picture until you've achieved the effect you want. Booker follows up on this theme in her use of demonstration paintings to illustrate the concepts she's presenting.
For the beginner, the first chapter is a tutorial on getting started. It gives a step by step presentation of how to start thinking about your painting and the basic skills necessary to start. Following this chapter, she devotes a chapter each to painting sky, terrain, trees and water. I found the examples illuminating and the steps easy to follow.
The final chapter is “Putting it All Together.” I think this chapter would be particularly valuable for more advanced artists. In this chapter she emphasizes the need to not only use technique, but also engage your intellect and imagination. This is the step that sets the artist apart from the skilled craftsman.
I highly recommend this book if you're interested in learning about oil painting. If you're a beginner or even an advanced painter, it can help you develop your technique and find new ways to think about the art of landscape painting.
I received this book for review from Blogging for Books.
The first thing I noticed about this book is the skillful use of paintings to illustrate the points being made. This starts in the Foreword where Lundin uses his own paintings to illustrate how painting is a process of molding the picture until you've achieved the effect you want. Booker follows up on this theme in her use of demonstration paintings to illustrate the concepts she's presenting.
For the beginner, the first chapter is a tutorial on getting started. It gives a step by step presentation of how to start thinking about your painting and the basic skills necessary to start. Following this chapter, she devotes a chapter each to painting sky, terrain, trees and water. I found the examples illuminating and the steps easy to follow.
The final chapter is “Putting it All Together.” I think this chapter would be particularly valuable for more advanced artists. In this chapter she emphasizes the need to not only use technique, but also engage your intellect and imagination. This is the step that sets the artist apart from the skilled craftsman.
I highly recommend this book if you're interested in learning about oil painting. If you're a beginner or even an advanced painter, it can help you develop your technique and find new ways to think about the art of landscape painting.
I received this book for review from Blogging for Books.
March 15, 2016
Meant for the intermediate painter, this book talks through the various elements contained in landscape painting, how to do them and how to fix specific problems. Everything from water to clouds are discussed, with helpful step by step photos.
This is a different type of book than I usually get, and I have to admit that I didn't read it cover to cover, though I did glance through the part I didn't read. The reason I chose this book is because I have recently taken up oil painting, and since I'm being self taught, I thought it might be helpful. However, I'm not anywhere near the level that this book caters too.
That being said, this book is beautiful. Hardback, large, with full color photos of paintings that show what is being discussed. Paintings from many different artists in many different styles. The writing is encouraging and positive, instead of critical of other methods and people, like so many painting blogs I have come across.
In all, a great book for the painting who would like to improve their landscapes, though not great for the beginner.
This is a different type of book than I usually get, and I have to admit that I didn't read it cover to cover, though I did glance through the part I didn't read. The reason I chose this book is because I have recently taken up oil painting, and since I'm being self taught, I thought it might be helpful. However, I'm not anywhere near the level that this book caters too.
That being said, this book is beautiful. Hardback, large, with full color photos of paintings that show what is being discussed. Paintings from many different artists in many different styles. The writing is encouraging and positive, instead of critical of other methods and people, like so many painting blogs I have come across.
In all, a great book for the painting who would like to improve their landscapes, though not great for the beginner.
January 8, 2016
The Elements of landscape oil Painting is a helpful tool for an oil painter, Suzanne Brooker is able to explain things that not every art author could. The pictures in this book seem to be very one tone. The choice of colors that the artist is not something that I am very fond of. The book takes concepts and breaks it down into easier steps. Overall a great book that would be helpful for many painters. This book is wonderful, my mother (who is an artist) loves this book and would recommend this to anyone who loves to learn more about art. This book is full of information and has great visuals. A lot of the pictures are not something that she would consider to paint but after she looked at the book.
June 27, 2015
Whilst I do a little painting, I have always steered clear of landscapes- everything looks so flat. With this book I think I will venture into the realms of the outside. Why? Because this book explains it in steps - not a now do this and copy this - but it actually give you the tools to look at a landscape and plan it, It explains about depth, condensing a landscape onto a canvas, colour and brushstrokes. I don't know if I will achieve a masterpiece but at least I am itching to try - I have a whole box of photos, which I took because I could see painting potential, now I can have a go. This book was supplied to me for free in return for a honest and unbiased review
Read
December 16, 2016There is a wealth of information in this book for artists of various levels of experience. Some information is intended for a novice and can be skipped over by more advanced artists. In particular the instruction of different brush stroke types seems too specific to allow artistic freedom of expression. What I found helpful was the analysis of the different elements of the landscape that would help an artist sort out and define the complexity of nature into simpler shapes. It was well worth reading and studying.
September 14, 2015
Unfortunately, there is not much substance to this book on landscape painting. Brookner writes about ways to See the landscape, but I would like to have had more concrete discussion of painting what you see. I think she tried, but got sidetracked by the variety of paint hues available from various paint manufacturers. Do I really need "red umber?" and many other paints mentioned? No, but they would be fun to try.
December 28, 2015
Inspiring in relationship to use of color and techniques for oil painting although I will use some of the techniques for acrylic painting.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews