painting landscapes: a creative approach in watercolour and mixed media

Author: Alison C. Board
Format: Paperback
Publication date: 19 May 2026
160 pages

Discover a fresh, creative, mixed-media approach to painting the landscapes you love.

An inspiring, innovative and practical guide for artists wanting to explore the profound connection between creativity and the natural world.

Author and expert tutor Alison C. Board invites readers to slow down, observe and deeply connect with their landscape subject – whether it’s a much-loved vacation spot, a place of historical interest, or a place of profound personal significance. No matter if you’re stepping outside with your sketchbook or working from reference images at home, Painting Landscapes offers an inclusive, adaptable approach to making art that feels personal and meaningful.

Inside this treasure trove of inspiring ideas and practical techniques you will:
Take inspiration: Explore the emotional and sensory impact of natural settings; tap into your connection with the landscape and make your initial sketches
Learn painting fundamentals: Master the essential building blocks of landscape painting, from appreciating the color palette of nature to making innovative composition choices, and gaining an understanding of tone
Practice elements of the landscape: Break down the natural world into 24 manageable creative exercises, including dramatic skies, wild weather and depictions of water
Think creatively: Step beyond realism and embrace personal expression. This section encourages playful exploration with mixed media, including maps and collage, abstraction and storytelling
Solve problems: Learn how to troubleshoot common challenges while embracing the chaos: learn how to make your materials work for you, how to work from an overcomplicated reference, or how to give your painting character. Packed with practical advice to help you move forward at any stage
Get painting: Apply everything you’ve learned to five landscape-painting projects that each offer two different outcomes – perfect for tailoring your approach and experimenting with techniques

Whether you’re discovering landscape painting for the first time or returning to it with fresh eyes, Painting Landscapes is the ultimate creative companion on your artistic journey. Thoughtfully written and richly informative, it empowers readers to engage with nature, memory and imagination, all through the simple, transformative act of painting.