Atmospheric Perspective: Acrylic Landscape Color Demo

In this demo, I’m putting those color theories into action — showing how color shifts can create real depth and atmosphere in a landscape.

This lesson is part of the Acrylic Landscape Painting Fundamentals Course.

How Color Creates Distance

I’m painting the same scene again, but this time I’m focusing on the way color and temperature change as things move away from us.
The goal is to control how warm or cool each plane feels — not just the value.

• Foreground: Warmer, more saturated greens with a little extra yellow.
• Middle ground: Slightly cooler, pulling out some yellow and adding touches of blue.
• Background: Light, desaturated greens leaning toward blue.

The cool colors in the distance help the scene feel open and airy, while the warm foreground brings it forward.

Even in the shadows, color temperature matters. Closer shadows can be darker and a bit warmer (more orange or red), while distant shadows cool off and lighten slightly.

Quick Tip: Don’t Overdo It

You don’t need massive shifts in color to create depth — subtle transitions often feel more believable.
As you paint, think about gradually “filtering” the yellow out of your mixes rather than adding too much blue too soon.

Course Navigation

Previous Lesson: Atmospheric Perspective – Two Color Theories
Next Lesson: Atmospheric Perspective – Master’s Examples
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Recommended Acrylic Painting Materials

• Princeton Catalyst Brushes – Flats (#6, #12), Rounds (#4, #8), Fan (#4), Liner Brush
  Durable synthetic bristles for versatile acrylic techniques
• Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic Paint – Essential Colors
  Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Burnt Sienna, Titanium White
• Winsor & Newton Cotton Canvas
  Reliable stretched canvas for studio and plein air work
• Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media Paper
  Heavyweight, acid-free paper for acrylic and mixed media
• Fabriano Artistico 140lb Cold Press Paper
  Excellent for acrylic, mixed media, and textured effects
• Blick Multi-Colored Painting Knife Set
  Variety of shapes for texture, scraping, and bold strokes
• Miscellaneous: Two pint-sized water containers, paper towels (from Home Depot or Walmart)
• Note: I use canvas or sturdy cardboard as my palette — no store-bought palettes needed.