Layne Johnson Studio
Hey, I'm Layne! 👋 I'm a full-time landscape oil painter and art instructor. I believe anyone can learn to paint realistic landscapes. Since 2018 I’ve helped more than 2,000 painters from around the world improve their landscape painting skills through my online courses. ✨ If you’re interested in inspirational tips and improving your painting skills – join 18,000+ other artists (and art-lovers) who enjoy having me in their inbox each week.
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Don’t Miss This: Your Personal Guide to Painting Success
One of the biggest struggles when you begin painting is not knowing what you don’t know. If you’ve ever felt unsure about what to focus on to improve, I’ve created a resource that will help. "Setting Yourself Up for Success" will help you identify where you are in your painting journey and what steps to take next—so you can build your skills with confidence. Think of it as your own personal success roadmap. 📥 Click here to download your copy. It’s about progress, not perfection… and the way...
READ POSTNeed some inspiration? Two new videos for you this week!
Hey Reader – This week, I’ve got not just one, but two new videos for you. 📌 Painting Cactus in the Texas Hill Country Cactus seems to find its way into almost every painting I do—and for good reason. It’s everywhere in the Texas Hill Country! In this demo—from my painting Enchanted Light—you'll watch me paint this distinctive and prickly cacti. Enjoy! 📌 A Conversation with Painter Charles Pero I recently sat down with one of my students to hear about his painting journey. His story is truly...
READ POSTWhat’s on your creative to-do list for 2025? (+sneak peek)
One of the things I love most about starting a new year is the chance to reflect on the past and reset for what's ahead. It’s a fresh start—an opportunity to take a good look at what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change. "You're going to keep getting what you've been getting, if you keep doing what you've been doing."—Dave Ramsey My wife, Sondra, is the analytical one in our partnership. She’s all about spreadsheets and lists, and let me tell you—she’s been in full-on planning...
READ POSTFix these 4 painting mistakes for stronger results
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...
READ POSTMore ideas to jumpstart your inspiration...
Earlier this week I wrote about inspiration and shared some ideas on how to jumpstart yours when you feel like your mojo just isn't there. Since that email was getting a little long I stopped, but actually, I have a few more tips for you. ;-) One of the things that I do for inspiration is drive around the areas that have the types of landscapes I want to paint. That's not as easy as it sounds. When I first started painting the Texas Hill Country (an area in the central part of the state), I...
READ POSTNot feeling inspired? Let's talk...
Do you ever get "blank canvas" syndrome? You know, when nothing inspires you to paint? Luckily, I rarely have this problem. Let me first explain why I think that is, then I'll unpack the problem and offer some solutions you can try. I paint representational landscapes, which means I paint what I see. And I'm blessed to live where there are landscapes that inspire me. (I will literally never be able to paint all the ideas I've collected over the years.) But that wasn't always the case. Trust...
READ POSTIt's about enjoying the journey, not just getting to the destination
One of the questions I hear quite often (in various forms) runs something like this: "How do I get past the fear of trying to paint?" I had to put some real thought into my answer because I understand the "fear of failure" can be a real struggle. It can keep you from making progress, from taking a chance, from doing something you might really love. It's a kind of prison that can keep you from all kinds of things. If this is something you struggle with, let me help you put it in perspective,...
READ POSTNew 4-part series premieres on YouTube April 17th
Hey there! I just completed a new 4-part series of videos for the FILA Group, showcasing several of their brands, including the new Strathmore stretched canvas, Princeton brushes, and Maimeri Puro oil paints. In this series of mini-masterclass demos, I'm taking you through Forgotten Road, one of my recent paintings. Forgotten RoadOil on Linen, 36"x36" Each of the 4 videos will premier on my YouTube channel on Wednesdays, starting tomorrow, April 17th at 9 am CT. The Magic of an Underpainting...
READ POSTPerfect NOT-PERFECT brushes - here's how to make your own
You know, quite often, an old imperfect brush is the PERFECT brush when you're painting landscapes. Personally, I think they're the best brushes for blocking in grasses and foliage. They can give the impression of detail, helping you avoid using small detail brushes till later. If you've followed me on Instagram, you know I love my old soldiers! In case you don't have any old beat-up brushes just lying around, in today's video I show you how you can make your own.😉 If you've got any...
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