When you think of a landscape painting, what comes to mind? Rolling hills? A glowing sunset? Or perhaps a bustling town scene with rooftops receding into the distance?
Whatever the view, landscape art is about understanding how the world works visually – and then expressing that in a way that feels satisfying. At The Seasons Art Class, we guide our students through exactly that, using simple techniques and clear demonstrations that take the mystery out of drawing and painting landscapes.
In our friendly 14-week courses, we explore a wide variety of subject matter – from countryside scenes and coastal views to townscapes and peaceful gardens – across four key mediums: pencil, oil pastel, watercolour and acrylic BUT, each medium has its own set of tricks and approaches, and we show you how, step-by-step.
Making Sense of Perspective
Perspective is one of the most powerful tools in an artist’s kit – but many beginners haven’t been taught how to really see it. Most people know that objects appear smaller as they move into the distance, but there’s much more to it than that.
In townscapes, we often use linear perspective – with one, two or even three vanishing points – to give the scene depth and structure. We teach the difference between formal and informal perspective, but in more natural settings, like hills and fields, we also teach students about nonlinear and aerial perspective. The latter explains why distant hills often appear misty or blue – a result of moisture in the air – and how softening your edges and adding a deep blue hue in the distance helps create a sense of depth.
Without this knowledge, a beginner’s brain can trick them into making everything too detailed, too sharp or too bright – which can result in a flat-looking painting. We help students overcome that by teaching them what to look for, and how to gradually build up their picture the right way, so it reads clearly and convincingly to the viewer, even if you purposely used unrealistic colour palettes.
Mediums Matter – A Different Approach for Each
Each of the four mediums we teach brings its own joys and challenges – and we adapt our approach accordingly when working on landscapes.
- Pencil: It’s all about pressure on paper and how sharp pr blunt your pencil is. We show how to vary the depth and richness of tone to give landscapes depth, and how subtle gradations can suggest distance without a single drop of colour.
- Oil Pastel: Students learn how to lay down their lightest tones first and build up in layers, creating atmospheric scenes with glowing skies, fields and water. We also teach blending techniques for soft edges and dreamy effects.
- Watercolour: Because it’s so transparent, watercolour requires planning. We teach how to reserve whites, build layers without muddiness, and choose an order of painting that helps avoid colours bleeding into one another.
- Acrylic: With its bold opacity, acrylic allows students to start with their background and build forward in layers – finishing with the crisp details of the foreground. It’s satisfying and forgiving, and a favourite for dramatic skies and vibrant landscapes.
What Students Learn – and Why It Matters
The reason we take such care with our approach is simple – it works. Many of our students haven’t picked up a pencil in years, or have never painted before but by the end of the course, each one will have created at least one finished landscape and many other works to be proud of!
Everything is practical, friendly, and broken down into clear stages. Whether it’s a watercolour garden, a pencil-drawn mill, or an acrylic beach scene, students come away with something they’re proud to show – and the confidence to keep going.
Want to Learn to Paint Landscapes? Start Here.
If you’re curious about learning to draw and paint but don’t know where to start, our courses are designed for you. You’ll be taught by experienced, supportive tutors who know how to bring out the best in beginners, and you’ll leave with a range of techniques you can use again and again.
We won’t just show you what to paint – we’ll help you understand how to see the world like an artist.
To find your nearest class or ask us any questions, call 02080 644 744 or email info@theseasonsartclass.com. You can also view our nationwide timetable online.
We’d love to welcome you to the next course – and help you discover just how rewarding landscape art can be!