Landscape Canvas Art

Traditional landscape canvas art has always depicted the world as we see it around us: Mountains: Trees: Bodies of water. The sky is more often than not a dominant feature. One that usually has much to do with depicting the overall ambience of the painting. Contemporary landscape canvas art is diverse – It can be detailed and highly realistic, romantic or idealized as was the tradition over a century ago: It can be impressionistic; in fact one of the more popular trends among contemporary artists is ‘en plein air’ painting. Many artists believe that painting directly from nature, as opposed to recalling the scene at the studio or working from photographs, is the only way to capture the true spirit of the landscape: Its energy, its ambience.

During the early nineteenth century artists such as Daubigny and Rousseau began the trend of painting landscapes directly from nature. Previous to this artists such as Poussin would create idyllic landscapes that existed primarily in the imagination as opposed to the real world. For the Impressionists of the mid nineteenth century ‘en plein air’ painting was paramount: The only way to truly capture the light and its play upon color being to witness it first hand: Capturing its overall ambience and effect upon nature.

Claude Oscar Monet was devoted to en plein air painting. He died in 1926 and is considered to be the original Impressionist painter. His work 'Impression, Sunrise' marking the breakthrough for impressionism. By the end of the nineteenth century ‘en plein air’ painting was being practiced by American Impressionists such as Guy Rose and Arthur Hill Gilbert and today many artists continue to investigate the great outdoors, outdoors. The medium for landscape art has always been oil paints and today this continues to be the case.

Contemporary landscapes canvas art frequently features all the traditional landscapes – Mountains, trees, water and sky. However, today artists also include manmade features such as bridges, city skylines, buildings, roads and fences. Many contemporary artists enjoy investigating the interaction of the natural elements with the manmade – Sometimes emphasizing the effect man has upon the environment: Reinforcing awareness of environmental issues which are important to so many people today.

Canvas art featuring mountainous landscapes are majestic and dominant – In many ways; mountains are portrayed in somewhat of an iconic status which makes them virtually impossible to overlook: And there are few who are not drawn to their grandeur. If you wish to make a dramatic statement then canvas art featuring a mountain landscape will always deliver. Trees are another of nature’s finest offerings: They too have great presence and are popular features among contemporary landscape canvas art. In many ways trees are like people – Each has its own individual characteristics. Tree landscapes – particularly those featuring just one tree are akin to portraits and demand the viewers interest in much the say way. Collectively they create a mood, an ambience that stretches out upon the canvas and into the room.

Water and seascape canvas art rarely fails to draw attention. Many people have a kind of affinity with water and so are extremely drawn by images of it. Seascapes are an extremely popular choice among collectors because of this: It is a diverse compositional tool. Water is one of the major elements in the world and so more often than not artists will dedicate the entire canvas to it: Usually enhancing the scene with boats and trees; or building ambience with a sunset sky. Seascape canvas art that merges the incredible colors of a sunset upon still waters is calming; relaxing: The perfect scene to come home to after a long day.

There are many elements incorporated within contemporary landscape canvas art and styles do vary. Some artists may ebb towards abstraction and impressionist works while others will remain true to realism: there are few rules par se with regards to contemporary art. Colors can be true or fantastic, emphasized or subdued. With so many options available purchasing contemporary landscape canvas art need not be difficult. Use your instincts to guide you. Unlike many things in life, with regards to art it is okay to be impulsive and to respond wholeheartedly to your instincts.