Easy landscape painting ideas
Landscapes are the most beginner-friendly subject there is, because nature has no wrong proportions. A tree can lean, a hill can wobble, and it still looks like a landscape. Start with a horizon line, a graded sky and one focal shape.
Prompts to try
Tap one to open it in the design generator — you get the image plus 10 simple painting steps.
Who this is for
Beginners who want a scene rather than a still life, and hosts planning a relaxed class.
The palette we teach with
Every step-by-step guide is written against these eight acrylics. Anything else gets mixed from them, so there is nothing extra to buy.
- White
- Black
- Red
- Dark blue
- Light blue
- Pink
- Yellow
- Brown
How to approach it
1Place the horizon off-centre
A third of the way up or down the canvas is more interesting than the middle and instantly looks more considered.
2Blend the sky while it is wet
Two or three colours pulled into each other with a dry brush gives the graded glow that carries the whole painting.
3Fade the distance
Add white to anything far away and keep your strongest darks in the foreground. That alone creates depth.
4Add one hero shape
A tree, barn, boat or mountain in a strong dark tone gives the eye somewhere to land.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest landscape to paint?
A sunset with a silhouette. The sky is a simple blend and the foreground is one flat dark colour with no detail required.
How do I paint realistic water?
Mirror the sky colours below the horizon, then drag a dry brush horizontally across it and add a few broken white lines for ripples.