Simple Techniques for Better Landscapes
Nancy Ellen Thompson
Class Preview
1:40
- In-depth Instruction; over 165 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Composition
28:48
Meet your instructor, Nancy Ellen Thompson, who will guides you through the easiest techniques to make your landscape drawings pop. Start with the basic ideas behind composition and explore techniques such as light against dark, the rule of thirds, and line perspective. Pick a photo and start your sketch!
Reference Material & Rough Sketch
18:15
Nancy helps you decide the best position for your focal point and demonstrates materials you can use, such as a rubylith, to help differentiate the light and dark values. She will also explain the difference between sketching and drawing and help you begin to create a rough sketch of your photo drawing.
Creating Value
25:23
Start your crosshatches! Nancy demonstrates how to understand value differences in a drawing and shows how to test variations in pencil hardness to achieve the effects you want. Be sure to test your own pencil set before beginning, then start to add texture and tone to a tree sketch.
Depth & Distance
27:50
Use your light and dark values to create depth and distance in your drawing. Nancy demonstrates how to properly place objects in your drawing to create a sense of distance. Then she shows you how to use both soft and hard edges with details or no details to provide perspective.
Trees, Shrubs, Grass & Mountains
30:25
Add life to your landscape with realistic trees, shrubs, grass and mountains. Follow Nancy's directions to make your trees and grasses come to life. She'll also show you how to create a background of mountains without using harsh lines.
Rocks & Water
21:46
Expand your landscape details by drawing unique rocks and water reflections. Follow Nancy's simple demonstration to draw convincing water reflections. For a more advanced technique, sketch out a waterfall or rapids area that pairs rocks and water together in one drawing.
Man-Made Elements
11:40
Add the final details to your drawing with man-made elements. Nancy helps you place fences, houses and sidewalks to add life to your drawing. Add more texture and shading for visual appeal, but ultimately the drawing is yours! Let your creative juices flow.
Learn how to draw landscapes you love with confidence and clarity alongside artist and instructor Nancy Ellen Thompson. Start class by discovering basic concepts for setting up captivating compositions. Next, select a reference photo, pick a focal point and get tips for creating a rough sketch. Add texture and tone to your work using essential mark-making methods. Want to bring eye-catching depth and distance to your drawings? Learn how with techniques for achieving accurate value, details and perspective in your landscape features. Then, bring your graphite drawing to life as Nancy Ellen teaches you how to draw realistic trees, grasses, mountains, rocks, water and more. You’ll even find out how to place and draw fences, houses and sidewalks for outdoor scenes that are closer to home.
Nancy Ellen Thompson
Teaching art is a way of life for Nancy Ellen Thompson. She loves sharing her techniques with both new and accomplished artists in workshops throughout the country and on Craftsy. Nancy Ellen takes on a limited number of commissions, and her work can be found in private collections worldwide. Nancy Ellen is represented by Bishop's Stock Gallery in Snow Hill, Maryland and City Art Gallery in Columbia, South Carolina.
Bonus materials available after purchase