Over and over, I see new painters making the same basic mistakes. And they're avoidable!

That's one reason I'm such a big advocate of learning the fundamentals—so you can go from the frustrating feeling of struggling to the more rewarding feeling of confidence in your abilities.

Let me share some of the most common mistakes I see, with suggestions on how you can avoid or address them.

Four common mistakes

One: No clear focal point

Often, I find myself looking at a painting and asking, “What am I supposed to focus on?” This usually happens when there’s no clear path through the painting, or when too many elements or textures are vying for attention. Every painting needs a focal point.

This is often a result of not planning your composition or getting caught up in details that, while nice, don’t support the whole. A strong composition will always support a main point of visual interest. (If composition trips you up, Mastering the Fundamentals of Landscape Painting covers this in detail.)

Two: Lack of contrast

I remember my early drawings and paintings—so many problems, but one I clearly recall is how weak they looked. They lacked contrast. It usually meant I wasn't employing a good dark tone for shadows; sometimes it meant there weren't enough (or any) "popping" highlights. Again, the result was either a dim or dirty-looking image.

This is why I suggest reviewing your reference in black and white. Creating a Notan or converting a reference photo to grayscale can help you better understand the value relationships. Once you see where contrast is lacking, you can make adjustments to strengthen your painting. (Struggling with contrast? Mastering the Fundamentals can help you sharpen this essential skill.)

Three: Incorrect perspective

Anytime you’re painting a landscape that includes structures—buildings, fences, or anything involving perspective—basic rules must be followed. When they aren’t, something feels "off." Even if the viewer can’t pinpoint the issue, they’ll sense something’s not quite right.

Learning basic perspective concepts and drawing shapes accurately is crucial. And trust me, if you keep painting landscapes, you’ll need this knowledge eventually. (If perspective feels overwhelming, you’ll find guidance in Mastering the Fundamentals.)

Four: Color is too saturated

This is a mistake I see often with newer painters. We’re taught “grass is green” and “sky is blue,” but when you compare real-life landscape colors to what you’ve painted, they’re often far less vibrant than you might expect. And your chosen colors are just a bit excessive.

The key is to get out of your head and truly observe the colors in context. Squinting can help you simplify shapes and values, and better perceive colors. And if you're wondering, “How do I mix these more natural-looking colors?” or “How do I translate what I see onto the canvas?” then you're not alone!

Color is a huge topic for painters, and that’s why I’m so excited about my upcoming course, Painting Realistic Landscapes with a Limited Palette.

(After much deliberation, this new course finally has a name! 🎉)

While all of my painting courses include color mixing, this one is FOCUSED on helping you master your essential color mixing skills and achieving realistic colors in your paintings—without complex color theory.

​Join the VIP waitlist now to stay in the loop and get early access! (Hint: coming soon!)

Enjoy the journey!

p.s. Not quite ready to dive into color? No worries! Mastering the Fundamentals of Landscape Painting is a great place to start.