Today, let’s look at a drawing method that seems counter-intuitive at first, but produces great results: Creating landscape greens with red base layers.
Creating Landscape Greens with Red Base Layers
When you use a complementary under drawing, you choose colors for the under drawing that are opposite the color wheel from the local (final) color you want to draw.
On this color wheel, the primary color red is opposite the secondary color green. As you move to the right from green to blue green, the complement moves in the opposite direction to red-orange.
If you have a completed color wheel such as this, it’s easy to determine which colors are complementary. Get a free blank color wheel and make your own color wheel.
Of course, you can also purchase printed color wheels, but making one with your pencils is the best way to not only find the best complementary colors, but to see how your colors mix, since no two brands are the same in pigmentation or quality.
How to Use a Red Under Drawing
Getting Started
Drawing an under drawing with a complementary color is pretty much the same as for any other type of under drawing. Begin by selecting the red or reds that best complement the greens in the landscape. In the drawing below, I chose Poppy Red as the main color because it was the best complement.
But I also used Terra Cotta in some parts of the trees because that was the best complement for those areas.
In the grassy field, orange was the best complement.
Whatever color I used, I used strokes to help define each area. Cross-hatching, scumbling (circular), and squiggly strokes in the trees and short, vertical strokes in the grass.
I drew the darker values with multiple layers.
I didn’t want to get too dark at this stage, so I used light to medium-light pressure throughout. That made it necessary to add several layers in the darkest places.
Finishing the Under Drawing
Once the initial layers were finished and the shapes established, I darkened the darker values with Tuscan Red.
Note that the darkest darks and sharpest contrasts in and around the large tree. That’s because the large tree is the center of interest in this drawing. The strongest value contrasts and sharpest details are in or near the center of interest.
The level of detail you include in your under drawing is up to you.
In this landscape, the large tree and its cast shadow were more developed at the under drawing phase than any other part of the drawing because it is the center of interest.
In either case, when the under drawing is finished, complete the drawing by layering color over the under drawing. This part of the process is the same no matter what type of under drawing you use.
Interested in learning more?
This drawing, The Sentinel, was created for a series of articles written for EmptyEasel.com. I’ve described the process in step-by-step detail in a series of three articles on EmptyEasel. Follow the links below to read the articles.
How to Draw a Complementary Underpainting for your Green Landscape
How to Add Rich, Vibrant Color on Top of Your Colored Pencil Underpainting
Finishing Up a Traditional Colored Pencil Landscape Painting
Creating Realistic Landscape Greens with Red Base Layers
One final note: You can also glaze complementary colors over a landscape drawing to create more realistic greens at any stage. I sometimes find it necessary to tone down greens later in the drawing process. When that happens, any complementary color can be helpful.
Just remember to apply the complementary color carefully and with light pressure.
I hope you’ve seen how useful complementary colors can be in creating realistic landscape greens.
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Thats very clever…..didn’t know that, will give this a try, thank you!
Donna,
You’re welcome. Have fun with it!
Carrie
I will have fun. Do you know if that would work with acrylics? haven’t had a chance to experiment, but looking forward to it.
Donna
Donna,
It should work with any transparent or semi-transparent medium. I have no doubt it would work with acrylics.
Carrie
Hi Carrie….I tried using acrylics and painted the subject
in red and I love the results. The painting looks warm, and adds vibrancy. thank you for that fabulous tip!
Donna
Donna,
Way cool! Excellent.
Did you have any trouble getting the colored pencil to stick to the acrylic?
Carrie
I didn’t even try the pencil, I just used chalk to sketch it, then the red, now I’m filling in the other colours. Having fun with it. Now to keep cool and not overwork it – a problem of mine.
Ah! So you’re trying the complementary method with a different medium; NOT mixing mediums.
Let us know how it turns out.
Hi Carrie, I seem to be in an experimental stage. The base red works well as some of the red warms the cooler colours and compliments the green colour. I kind of like that. I also did an acrylic base coat but finished with water mixable oils. This gave it the brilliance. I learned long time ago that this is quite successful. The only problem with using oils is that it takes a while to dry to finish it completely.
My next project is to use the pencils in red and try the method you mentioned.
You just inspired me! thanks for that.
Donna,
Experimental stages are good. That’s when we learn.
Oils do require drying time and the brand I prefer (M. Graham Oils) take longer than most. That’s why I like colored pencil. I can work on colored pencil while the current painting project is drying!
Carrie
Organized thinking! I have been away from painting for over 5 years – just now getting motivated. My pencil case is out, looking forward to another experiment.
Ciao
Donna,
Wow. 5 years? That’s amazing.
It was nearly three years between the last portrait I completed and my new portrait. It’s waiting now to be framed and delivered. When I started painting again, I felt like I’d lost my touch. Talk about having to get reacquainted! It was almost like a crash course.
Hope things go more easily for you.
Carrie
I’m in Crash One big time, Persistance is the key!
That’s the key, all right.
Super interesting! As always thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I think you’re terrific!
Thank you, Lydia. I’m glad to be of help!