Atmosphere and Mood

'Storm Approach' Mixed Media

One of the most important things to consider when planning a landscape painting is the atmosphere and mood you wish to convey.

What is it that produces atmosphere? Primarily it is the effects of weather and lighting which combine together to give the landscape a feeling or mood. It might be a dark and sombre landscape lifted only by a shaft of bright light streaming at a low angle across the picture, producing long dark shadows.

Or it might be a light misty morning with the rising sun just creeping above the distant hills, causing the mist over a lake or river to glow. Listen to the sounds produced by the wind rustling in the trees close by. Perhaps there are attractive clouds scudding across the sky, catching the sunlight and radiating brightness and colour. Study carefully these lighting effects and the colours they produce. Note the way the colours change as the light changes.

If you wish to produce paintings with this kind of atmosphere you will again have to go out into the countryside and learn to see these effects. Be aware of everything about you, the lighting, the sounds, the feeling as the wind brushes your skin. Feel the atmosphere.

The best times to go on these explorations are early and late in the day. The two-hour periods after sunrise and before sunset are the very best times. At these times the light has a colour and clarity that is perfect for producing paintings with quality and atmosphere. Long shadows are formed which give shape and texture to the landscape. Make plenty of notes and sketches. Take photographs so that when you return to the studio you have much useful material as a resource.
These excursions may also be used to give a lift to your painting ideas if you feel you might be getting into a rut. When this happens I get up early. My dog Judy is a bit surprised but being a Border Collie she is always up for a walk. While she runs about sniffing the smells of rabbit and deer, I make my notes.

I try always to have my camera with me but often when the best lighting effects occur I realise I have left it behind. I always have a notebook with me though (this is referred to as my ‘brain’ by family and friends as without it I would forget everything).

Always be aware of the light in your surroundings so that if a beautiful atmospheric effect occurs you are ready to make notes and take photographs. If possible take a small box of watercolour paints and a couple of brushes and make colour sketches which can later be worked up into finished paintings in the studio. Pastels are also useful for making very quick colour sketches, but fix them well before taking them home.

With practise you will be able to look at a landscape at any time of day and then paint it with the feeling, atmosphere and mood of your vision. First though it is necessary to put in the time and effort to see these effects at first hand.

That’s it for today.

Keep painting

Tony