How To Draw Distant Details

Some artists find it difficult to distinguish foreground detail from middle-distance and far distant detail.
Some of the reason for this could be that some artists are able to see more detail…
* When you are long-sighted it is likely that you can see distant objects
* When you are short-sighted it is less likely that you can see far into the distance
With landscape drawing it might be thought that a short-sighted artist has an advantage… Unseen distant details can be replaced with general shapes. For example a distant mountain can be represented by a simple outline.
If you are a long-sighted artist, you could try to draw everything you can see. This may include detail close to your viewpoint and that from far away. It is possible that you can see every ridge and gulley of a distant hill, disturbed only by snow and mist.
However, the ability to see far away detail cannot guarantee that you become a good landscape artist. The fact is that too much detail brings the background detail visually closer. It flattens the image, resulting in a loss in the sense of distance. Landscape drawing depends upon an artist’s ability to grade. In basic terms, 3 degrees of detail are required…

1. High levels of detail are required for the foreground
2. Reduced detail is necessary for middle-ground
3. Little detail is required for distant detail

There is no problem for an artist who can’t see distinct distant features. Yet, if you are able to identify the whiskers of a wild cat running on the far hillside, you will be tempted to draw what you can see. Fortunately, there is a way to reduce the effects of over detailing.

To overcome the problem…
* Start with the background first. Try to use a fine-tipped hard lead pencil (H or 2H is best)
* For center-ground use a slightly softer lead pencil (HB or B is good). If you prefer, you could mix this with a little hard lead pencil
* To draw foreground detail, you could choose to use a wide selection of softer pencils to give as little, or as much detail required.
As drawing advances, the first drawn background detail begins to recede. The lightly drawn lines start to be overpowered by the heavier darker lines of middle-distance and foreground lines. Using a selection of different pencils gives you the ability to grade detail… with lighter line-weights for distance… ranging through light to heavy for middle distance and foreground.
This will let you focus on concentrating upon a chosen focal point. You will now be able to make your landscape drawings look real, with close subject detail standing out from the background.
Michael Dale is the author of 1- Color Is Best (the quick and easy way to learn to paint watercolor) and 3- Colors Are All You Need (mix any color you want fast using only 3 colors).
You can also discover a long lost, easy to draw and paint course edited by Michael Dale