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Hi all, There is something quite magical about painting outdoors. I feel comfortably secluded with nature having an almost spiritual connection when I paint a landscape. Landscape painting is a passion of mine. I would like to share some tips and techniques that I have become accustomed to using over the years. My first bit of advice - try not to get overwhelmed by the scene in front of you. I recall when I first began painting landscapes; I tried to copy everything exactly as I saw it. I tried to squeeze in every detail, paint every leaf, branch, and blade of grass. You will go crazy approaching a landscape this way. Try and paint your own impression of what you see and not a copy of it. Squint your eyes and see the landscape as a series of shapes, lights and darks, as opposed to seeing every detail. You can accomplish some amazing things that you never thought were inside if you just relax and let the painter inside come to the surface. Painting on location is certainly a beautiful experience, but remember that you have to paint quite fast as the lighting will change quickly. Begin your painting with a larger brush so you are not focusing on detail at this stage. Try toning your canvas with acrylic paint first before applying your oil paint. I find starting a landscape with toned ground makes it easier to judge values. You can also let some of that underpainting show through in some areas of your painting for an interesting effect. Creating the illusion
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