Is the Sky Painted First?

Another question received. “When painting landscapes, do you start with the sky and work down?”

Birch Point, 8x10, oil SOLD

Birch Point lay-in. 

My answer –

Usually, no. I like to start at the focal point and work outwards. This helps me to maintain the strength of my focal point. I gradually reduce contrasts, intensities and eliminate unnecessary details as I work away from this main area.

Leaving the sky until last also allows me to choose colors that will harmonize with the colors and mood of my landscape. I can then choose the type of sky – clear, cloudy, stormy and the time of day. For me, it makes more sense to balance the sky to the landscape instead of the reverse.

As you can see in the lay-in of the painting above, I have left the sky and the brook for the final step. I did give the distant water a hint of color (which I later adjusted) to remind me that I wanted a lake in the distance.

Your comments and questions are always welcome. I hope you will find my answers useful.

Thank you for visiting my studio,

Celene

This painting was available in my Ebay page.