Realistic Landscapes Without Painting Every Detail
When I hear people comment on how "detailed" my paintings are—I have to chuckle.
Because most of the time, they're looking at an image that's been significantly reduced from the original to fit on a small screen.
In reality, my paintings are not nearly as detailed as they may appear.
Photo-realism vs Classical Realism
When I was a young commercial illustrator, my style definitely was photo-realistic. It's what the work called for. But over time, I've gravitated to a more painterly technique. Today, if I had to put a label on what that painting style is, the closest would be Classical Realism.
If you're not familiar with this style, it sits somewhere in between a loose impressionism style and super tight, detailed photo-realism. It’s grounded in strong fundamentals, such as value, color, light, and composition, so a painting feels believable—while still leaving room for expression. And I believe, it's closer to the way our eyes actually see—and therefore, the way we normally experience the world around us.
So when I talk about “painting detail,” I don’t mean capturing all the minutiae.
Instead, my goal is to create the impression of detail—so the scene feels authentic and alive, without looking stiff or copied from a photograph. So experiencing nature and studying it, is often helpful when creating the illusion of reality with paint.
Clouds are the perfect example
I observe and study clouds constantly. They're all about form, values, and light—not tiny details.
In this video, I show you a glimpse of that from the painting currently on my easel so you can see for yourself.
I also share how I think through cloud forms, values, and color as the painting develops.
For me, it’s about creating beautiful paintings that invite the viewer into an authentic experience—one that evokes a positive emotional response. I believe beauty matters, and that strong skills give you freedom rather than limitation.
Free Download: 3 Tips for Painting More Realistic Clouds
Struggling to make your clouds feel believable? This short, focused guide covers three common mistakes I see painters make—and simple adjustments that lead to stronger, more convincing clouds.
