Landscape painting links,
& a landscape drawing lesson

Markers can be purchased separately or in sets of various sizes. Tip configurations vary from micro-point to wide widths that allow for large-area coverage. Large markers have generous reservoirs so that pigment can be dispensed in a consistent line.

An interesting technique for landscapes is called glazing. This is achieved by first laying down a bright base color and then coloring over it with thin layers of lighter color(s). The blend is attractive, as the colors pull and create unique shades. Once the glaze colors have been applied, other markers can be used to detail the drawing.

The final appearance of a marker illustration is affected by paper type. For texture, a light-colored charcoal or matte-finish paper should be used. Since the surface of these papers is so uneven, lightly pressed markers tend to skim along the peaks, creating a grainy look. Colored paper will also affect applied marker colors to help create works from monochromatic schemes to vibrant contrasts. Mixing mediums can also be very exciting in marker landscapes; crayons, spattering, and watercolor are among a few that can be effectively employed.

In a landscape scene, objects lose a degree of red and appear more blue as they recede. They also lose value and detail as they appear more unfocused. This phenomenon must be observed when creating landscapes especially for shadows. Foreground shadows benefit from a Prussian blue marker, since it contains the darkest-red pigment. As shadows progress to middle ground, try Dutch blue, which is bluer and lighter. For faraway shadows, Space blue will produce light, diffused tones.

Ambient light in a landscape is an important element that helps set the tone. Since daylight is ever changing, its quality and direction suggests the time of day and the atmospheric conditions. For example, sunrise is brief with long, cool shadows and a sky that typically contains Ultramarine, Sky blue, and pastel colors.

At midday, overhead lighting is stronger with an Ultramarine or Cobalt sky, and shadows are minimized but darker. Clouds become white with a suggestion of warm gray shadow. As sunset approaches, pale orange colors bathe the terrain in long, warm shadows that are tinged with purple. The sky once again darkens with a deeper blue that is laced with pastel streaks. At dusk, the sky appears quite bright against the darkened foreground horizon as all colors deepen.

Night scenes can be illustrated in a variety of ways depending upon the amount of moon, star, or artificial lighting. In all cases, foreground subjects can still have detail but will appear bluer (Space blue) or greener (dark olive) and will possess a tighter range of values. The sky at the horizon should be a lighter Space blue and gradually fade to a darker Indigo or Prussian blue with stars dotted throughout.

To suggest moonlight, try using a Cream of Maize marker over an area of dark color. To accentuate foreground objects, try placing a dark sky against a light subject or the reverse. Artificial light sources--such as an incandescent lamp or the glow of a distant city--have individual qualities, so each should have its properties carefully assessed. Unless it is a floodlight, most artificial light will quickly fade into the night sky.

Illustrating water is more challenging, since it has many properties and is often kinetic. Key to the effective illustration of water is observing and understanding how it moves and reflects light. To help create a "wet" look, apply a marker when it is fully loaded and fresh. To aid the dynamics, use a low-porous paper that will absorb moisture slowly. Working quickly with broad strokes, select compatible colors and let them overlap slightly. The colors will tend to diffuse into each other so try using a cotton swab to feather the edges.

Extreme weather poses unique opportunities and challenges when working with markers. In most cases, a limited range of colors will suffice to capture most effects, since stark contrast helps create more powerful images. For example, instead of hundreds of raindrops, it may help to illustrate a large, dark sky with only a few drops. This helps suggest the birth of a storm on the verge of an imminent deluge. Keep in mind that some raindrops will catch and reflect light while others block it and appear dark. (This holds true for snowflakes as well.)

Snow can be illustrated by using blue and Ice blue markers on white paper, which serves as a base color. Wispy streaks of snow or flakes themselves can be introduced with white dots or smeared streaks from a brush. Cool and basic grays can be used to illustrate dark and angry skies.

Markers are effectively versatile, portable, and fun to use. With all the colors and tip configurations available, just about any type of landscape (or other subject matter) can be faithfully or stylistically illustrated. If you haven't worked with markers yet, try them and see the results for yourself.