I continue to enjoy oil painting with my knife! This oil painting of Utah Lake from the Buffalo peak trail is an interesting example of the perspective of disappearance as Leonardo da Vinci described it. Everything gets lighter and more blue as it appears to recede into the distance. We now call it atmospheric or aerial perspective , however the effect is the same now as it was for Leonardo the process makes us believe for a short time or perhaps longer that we are seeing space as opposed to the reality of the flat canvas. Understanding how to make or suggest space is one of the keys to landscape painting whether it be “en plein air” or in the studio. Art students should know the rules of aerial perspective described above They should also consider overlapping, and the rules of placement and scale every time they draw or paint the landscape.
I saw many potential compositions along the trail to Buffalo Peak and it only takes me 30 minutes to drive up there. So check back soon and see what kind of space I can make of those vistas.

PS don’t forget the insect repellent when you go out drawing and painting during the summer. The itchy welts on my legs will remind me.