Landscape Painting Fundamentals — Part 1

Learn how to simplify landscapes into stronger shapes, clearer value relationships, and believable light before getting caught up in details.

This first course in the Landscape Painting Fundamentals series focuses on three essential ideas: abstract masses, value hierarchy, and the three planes of light and shadow. You’ll learn how to organize complex scenes, create depth, and make stronger painting decisions from the beginning.

Start Course Continue Course Retake Course Preview Course Learn More
Retake this course?
Retaking this course from the beginning will reset all of your tracked progress.
Retake
Landscape painting fundamentals course

What You’ll Learn

  • Simplifying landscapes into abstract masses

  • Seeing and organizing major shapes

  • Building a clear value hierarchy

  • Separating dominant, secondary, and supporting values

  • Understanding the three major landscape planes

  • Using light and shadow to create depth

  • Avoiding detail before the structure is working

  • Applying these ideas to complete landscape studies

Inside the Course

  • 23 lessons

  • 5 master artist analysis lessons

  • 3 guided assignments

  • Robert completes all 3 assignments

  • Practical landscape demonstrations and studies

Who It’s For

This course is ideal for painters who want stronger landscape structure before focusing on brushwork, color, or detail.

It works well for beginners building solid fundamentals and experienced artists who want to simplify their landscapes and make clearer design decisions.