Composition

"6 Tricks for Better Landscapes" by Cinder Block Studios 

Build the Base Land First - [00:25] Instead of painting features like rocks or grass immediately, start with the underlying ground. Adding details like large rocks on top of the base, and then layering grass over those, ensures the elements look unified and "anchored" rather than floating.

Balance Simple Ground with an Interesting Sky - [01:10] If your landscape features simple rolling hills or flat grasslands, make the sky the focal point. Adding dynamic clouds or interesting atmospheric effects prevents the painting from feeling empty or boring.

Create "Layers Upon Layers" - [01:44] Move beyond a simple foreground, middle ground, and background. By incorporating many overlapping layers (such as a lake, followed by hills, then distant mountains, and even further peaks), you create a much deeper and more immersive sense of perspective.

Utilize Framing and Perspective - [02:56]

Perspective: Use one-point or two-point perspective (like paths branching to different vanishing points) to draw the viewer's eye.

Horizon Line: Adjusting the horizon line changes the focus; a high horizon allows for more land detail, while a low horizon emphasizes the sky. [03:46]

Framing: Use "natural framing," such as a dark silhouette in the foreground, to direct the viewer’s attention toward the middle of the piece. [04:13]

Avoid Symmetry in Natural Forms - [04:29] Humans naturally tend to paint symmetrical, matching hills. To make a landscape look more realistic and "explorable," vary the shapes of hills so they cross, dip, and overlap at different angles rather than mirroring each other. [05:12]

Add an Object for Scale - [05:30] Including a universally recognized object—like a person, a log cabin, or even a small figure—gives the viewer an immediate understanding of the landscape's size. A tiny "shadowy guy" in the corner can instantly make a mountain range feel massive and grand. [06:34]