Video Lesson: Color Strategies in Plein Air

This video is excerpted from a demonstration given at a workshop, “Landscape Painting in Skagit Valley” (Washington), with Mitchell Albala (Gage Academy of Art) July, 2010.

“In nature, light creates the color. In the picture, color creates the light” – Hans Hoffman

When working outdoors (and in the studio) landscape painters are constantly in search of a color solution that works right. We may follow nature’s lead, borrowing considerably from what we see, but successful color also involves the application of a strategy. This video clip talks about those strategies in general and gives specific examples of the analogous harmony and complementary color strategies.

Additional Resources:
Landscape Painting: Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice
Chapter 8: Light and Color.


Can’t view the video here? View if at YouTube.

About Mitchell Albala

Mitchell Albala is the author of Landscape Painting: Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice (Watson-Guptill, 2009). A respected teaching artist for more than 25 years, he currently teaches at Gage Academy of Art and Pacific Northwest Art School. He has also lectured at the Seattle Art Museum and written for American Artist and Artists & Illustrators magazines. He is represented by Lisa Harris Gallery. See his paintings at mitchalbala.com.