Atmospheric abstract landscapes: my process..

I thought I’d indulge a little about one of my painting processes

I love painting atmospheric abstract landscapes and for me there is a certain technique which I feel seems to work best for the style I’m trying to achieve.

Winter Grasses by Heidi Laughton

Believe me, I’ve tried so many different ways over the last few years and mostly I end up painting over most of them and a few remain. I’ve realised that this is just part of the process as my work is so experimental.

So here are some of my tips:

• I tend to paint on wooden panels rather than canvas. It seems to be a better substrate for giving creative freedom. For example etching into with tools for mark making and pastels, oil sticks etc

• I paint in acrylics first and push them as far as they will go, before then switching to oils to “finish off” and give the paintings a more polished look

• Painting more distant landscapes work better than those close up or with too much going on in the foreground

• Use soft brushes for softening out the clouds in the skies

• start several paintings at once and work in circles, so while one layer is drying, start working on another.

• It’s ok to start with a reference photo, but don’t be restricted by being too representational. Trust your intuition and let loose!

• Don’t forget, not every painting will work and that’s ok!

Autumn Ambience by Heidi Laughton

Finally, if you’d like to learn more about my processes, then check out the “Courses” page on the website to see if I’m about to run a workshop. I’ll soon be adding online courses too hopefully!

Let me know if there are any art classes or topics you’d like me to run a course about or if you have any questions about my process for abstract landscapes. Do you use these same techniques or any others?