How to Paint Digital Landscapes

An Overview of How to Paint Digital Landscapes!

In order to paint digital landscapes, you need to know the various elements that comprise scenery. So far, you have learned about the organic forms up to this point. But what about the inorganic forms?

Knowing how to draw and paint digital landscapes can be difficult. Beginners will get lost in the picture figuring out what to paint and how it will interact with the rest of the environment.

As well, obtaining the technical knowledge to paint these scenes is sometimes discouraging because there are so many possibilities.

Hence, I will break down the landscape elements for you so as you can build a foundation for yourself before you start painting your first digital landscapes.

1. The heavens

You can’t really have scenery without skies and clouds. Depending on the atmosphere, some clouds have different formations than others. Knowing this fact can help you determine the elevation of your digital painting.

For starters, we will learn how to paint cumulonimbus clouds, paint cumulus clouds, paint nimbostratus clouds, paint stratus clouds, paint stratocumulus clouds, paint altocumulus clouds, paint altostratus clouds, paint cirrocumulus clouds, paint cirrostratus clouds, and paint cirrus clouds.

Once you learn the basic cloud structures, use it to create your very own cloud diagram to reference from.

Cloud colors will determine the mood as you paint digital landscapes with your brush. The darker the clouds are, the closer it is to the horizon. This means clouds will get hazier the higher it is.

On top of that, it needs to match up with the light source. For example, a setting sun will create different color combinations in the sky and the clouds.

Of course, let’s not forget the edges of the clouds. Sharper edges equal more dramatic movement while softer edges create a calmer environment.

2. Creating mountains and caves

To paint digital landscapes, you need to learn about earth formation. Perhaps the most common types seen in most landscapes are mountains and caves.

Adding mountains will give your painting a sense of grandeur and depth while creating caves gives a hint of mystery.

One thing to remember is that the surface of a small rock can be multiplied in nature. That means that the texture found on smaller rocks can be applied to mountainous rock.

Therefore, if you learn smaller rock textures, you can use them to create the huge mountainous shapes or caverns.

Moreover, look for repeating patterns inside the rock.

3. Forests and foliage

Perhaps one of the most difficult environmental elements to paint is the forests. As you paint digital landscapes of these types, be wary of the different colors associated with overlapping trees.

This is where you knowledge of color theory can help you out. Normally, trees that are far away exhibit a light and dull version of the main color you are working with.

On top of that, you need to consider the exposing branches. Each branch on a certain type of tree differs from another tree. Deciding on the branch forms will determine the tree that you will be painting.

The variations don’t matter as much as the substance. For beginner artists, it’s always important to locate where the mass of foliage is.

You will learn how to paint different tree types and then multiplying it to form the forest of that particular type.

4. Snow and desserts

When you paint digital landscapes with snow and desserts, you will sense that these elements exhibit similar characteristics. That is, the elements are smooth to paint, albeit different colors to distinguish sand and snow.

This is due to the ‘lightness’ of sand and snow. For example, snow and sand can cover the landscape but can be moved by a simple breeze.

This alone should tell you to use a very faint brush to paint these elements. This blanket of snow or sand is useful to create desolate environments.

Not only that, you will learn how to draw variations such as ripples, weathering, and other formations associated with these elements.

The last great element would be water itself. However, due to the complexity, it’s going to get its own section! You will eventually put everything you have learned into painting water.

For now, continue to paint digital landscapes with the information I will provide to you because practice really does help out a lot!

Return from Paint Digital Landscapes to the 2d Digital Art Guide.