Painting a Landscape Composition

A Landscape Composition is a traditional compositional style used when artists paint scenic country paintings. It refers to the scenic landscape as well as the horizon line depicted horizontally across the longest stretch of a rectangle.

 

I searched for the subject for this large scale oil painting during the fall season. After a long hike up a pilgrimage trail I found the image that had emotional value as well as wonderful compositional value. The viewer’s perspective is looking up towards the churches and blue sky. The fallen vertical tree divides the viewer from the tranquil holy pinnacle. Giving a feeling of inspiration as well as a reminder for pilgrims that they have not yet reached their tranquil resting point.

 

 

To begin painting it is important to select the composition. I wanted to paint this painting in a traditional landscape style which meant that I had to crop the image to fit a horizontal canvas. I used my photo editor to crop the image into a landscape. A modern trick to select or find compositions without loosing the initial significance of the source image.