Learn the Art of Color Mixing

without complex color theory

Does color mixing frustrate you? Are you baffled by color theory and how to apply it? Are you ready to take control of your palette?

As artists we’re typically never taught much about practical color mixing or the underlying principles. Even if you’ve ever taken a color theory class, it probably didn’t include anything specifically for painting landscapes. (And by the way, just the idea of “color theory” makes my head hurt!)

We can’t ignore it though, since the use and control of paint is a very important skill for all painters.

Your ability to successfully perceive, mix, and handle color is one of the key stages in your growth and development.

Before we learn to mix colors, especially more realistic colors, we can be tempted to use paint straight out of the tube. You know, the sky is blue, the grass is green, rocks are gray, etc. So, in our heads, it’s easy to think the sky is ONE color of blue, the trees are ONE color of green, and rocks are JUST gray.

But nature offers a much broader range of colors and values.

And it's impossible to get that full range from a single tube of paint. That’s why learning to mix colors is essential—you just can't get the depth and subtlety straight out of the tube.

Unfortunately, most artists are left to figure this out on their own—but that’s about to change.

Introducing:

Painting Realistic Landscapes
with a Limited Palette

This course is specifically designed to help you master the principles of color mixing, using only a few colors to achieve realistic results.

Color is such a big and important topic for artists. And while all of my painting courses include color mixing, this subject deserved a course all its own.

So, Painting Realistic Landscapes with a Limited Palette is FOCUSED on helping you master your essential color mixing skills and achieving realistic colors in your paintings—without complex color theory.

I’ve taken all the complexity of color theory and demystified it into something clear, concise, and practical—and applied that specifically to landscape paintings.

By simplifying your palette to only a handful of colors and simplifying your choices, you’ll actually get better control over your palette and see faster progress in your work.

By the end of this course, you’ll have a solid grasp of how to use color to create depth and realism in your landscapes. Most importantly, you’ll have the color-mixing skills needed to increase your success rate with every painting.

What you'll learn in this course

How to mix a wide variety of hues, values, and temperatures for more realistic landscapes from a limited palette of just three colors (plus white and brown).
The practical application of color theory and how you can use it to your advantage.
How color works in painting landscapes, so you can start mixing, manipulating, and controlling your paint more effectively.
How to mix secondary and tertiary hues, which are crucial for achieving realistic landscapes.
The role of an underpainting and how it affects the colors you choose and see.
How to paint in layers, using my 4-stage framework: the Modern Approach to Classical Painting.

How the course is structured

This online course has five core modules: Orientation, Supplies & Resources, Foundational Concepts, Getting Ready to Paint—and the heart of the course—Studio Time (which includes the 4 painting stages).

The lessons are primarily video, with additional lesson notes and downloadable PDF resources. Plus, each lesson includes a student discussion forum where you can share your progress or ask me questions.
I’ll guide you through every stage of my painting process, from the pencil to the final details. Just like being here in the studio with me, you'll watch over my shoulder as I paint each stage.
Applying what you’ve learned in the Foundational Concepts module, we’ll paint a rich, realistic landscape using only three primaries (plus white and brown).
Seeing everything I'm doing on my palette in easy-to-follow video lessons will help you gain control over your own color mixing so you can quickly start seeing results.

This is a "go-at-your-own-pace" course. Enrollment includes lifetime access to all the lessons.

LEARN

the important foundational concepts and techniques for mixing and using color

WATCH

over my shoulder as I demonstrate each stage and technique in step-by-step video lessons

PAINT

along with me using the concepts and techniques that follow a proven, repeatable process

Special Bonus!

You'll also receive exclusive access to this bonus class

Expanding Beyond a Limited Palette

As you get a handle on color mixing, you can then progress to a more advanced palette.

This follow-up workshop will be available in Spring of 2025.

Hey there, I'm Layne Johnson

I’ve been a painter most of my life. I understand how hard it is—and how much time it takes—when you're figuring it all out on your own. Not knowing if you’re doing things “right”.

The truth is, most of us are self-taught. Despite my own BFA, many years spent as an illustrator and graphic designer, and many more years as a children’s book artist – it took me a long time to learn what works. Figuring out a process that helps me create rich, realistic landscapes. A repeatable, enjoyable process.

Yes, I believe anyone can learn to paint realistic landscapes. Sometimes, it just takes someone who’s been where you want to go to show you the way.

Since 2018 I’ve helped more than 2,700 students from around the world improve their painting skills. And I've shared the secrets I've learned over my 30+ years as a professional artist.

I hope you'll join me, too.

What students are saying

"Thank you so much for this course. I now have much more confidence mixing colors using a limited palette. This has always been a struggle for me. Mixing greens so they look the way they do in nature is much easier now that I understand how to mix them. I've enrolled in many of your courses, but this one was the most valuable to me. I will approach each painting now trying to use as limited a palette as possible."

– Clark Burbank

"This course is so helpful in giving very fundamental (and foundational) help for a painter, even beginners! It has built my confidence as an artist to apply time-tested techniques to my painting, and given me a great hunger to keep honing my artistic skills--beyond this course. Thank you Layne. You are the best teacher I've learned with. God Bless!"
– Linda Bridges

“Mixing and matching colors was very difficult for me. Learning about the opaque and transparent symbols on paint tubes, and then using a very specific set of colors to mix every color in the painting was the biggest leap forward I have had yet as an artist. I learned more in this training than a whole year of just trying things on my own. Thank you for a phenomenal class.”

– Daron Fraley

"Highly recommend this course"

"The course taught me how important it is to trust the process. Keep moving forward and you will know when and how to make your adjustments towards the end of the painting. It really all comes together in the process. Plus the more I paint with Layne, the process and the steps are coming more natural now. It has giving me the confidence to keep painting." – Charles Pero

"One of the best realist oil painting online courses."

– Pamela Wissinger

"I have taken other courses through the years. None compare."

– Roger Bailey

⭐ Read even more student testimonials here ⭐

Here's what you get when you enroll

Lifetime access to Painting Realistic Landscapes with a Limited Palette online course
Step-by-step guided painting sessions, including more than 19 hours of video lessons and downloadable PDF resources
Focused training in the foundational concepts and fundamentals of mixing and painting with color
Color Mixing Guide in PDF format
Access to Layne in the Student Forum

Only $199.00

ENROLLMENT IS CURRENTLY CLOSED – BUT WILL RE-OPEN FEBRUARY 1st!

My 30-Day “You’re Going to Love It” Guarantee

I'm pretty positive you are going to love this course. To put your mind completely at ease, though, this course comes with a 100% risk-free guarantee.

If at any time within the first 30 days you decide the course isn't what you're looking for, simply ask for a refund and we'll give you 100% of your money back. Remember, getting better as a painter takes time, patience and most importantly, lots and lots of practice.

This course will help you get there. Guaranteed.

Choose the option best for you

ONE TIME PAYMENT

$199

ENROLL NOW

2 MONTHLY PAYMENTS

$107

ENROLL NOW

Still wondering if this course is for you?

This course is perfect for painters who wants to improve their color mixing and painting skills, especially if you're painting realistic, representational landscapes.

If you use oils, water-mixable oils, or acrylics
If you're an Advanced Beginner to Intermediate level painter

Please note: If you've only been painting for a short time, or you really want to get a handle on the painting fundamentals, I recommend you first begin with Mastering the Fundamentals of Landscape Painting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have access to the course?

After enrolling, you'll have unlimited lifetime access to this online course (as long as it exists on the internet – which we hope is forever!). There's no deadline to finish any of the lessons or the course.

Does it matter what medium I use?

The concepts and techniques I teach apply to opaque painting mediums such as oils, water-mixable oils, and acrylics.

Is the course available as soon as I enroll?

Yes, as soon as you enroll, you’ll be able to jump right into the course. Since the lessons in the course are all completely self-paced videos, you can decide when you want to actually start painting.

Do I need to be online at a specific time to watch the lessons?

No, not at all. The lessons are all completely self-paced videos so you can log in anytime to watch the lessons. And you can paint whenever it suits YOUR schedule (not mine!).

How much time will the course take?

I've organized this course into bite-size painting sessions (typically ~45 minutes each) so you can make meaningful progress in only a few hours each week. (All together there are more than 19 hours of video painting lessons.) Some students find it useful to first watch the lessons before they start painting. Or you can dive right in. Which means how long it takes to complete the course is up to your learning style and your preferences.

Do the videos include subtitles?

Yes! There are English and Spanish subtitles on all videos.

Can I download the lessons?

All the resource materials are downloadable and printable. Videos are streamable, but not downloadable.

How much painting experience do I need?

This course is best for experienced painters, advanced beginner to intermediate level. If you've only been painting for a short time, or you really want to get a handle on the painting fundamentals, I recommend you begin with Mastering the Fundamentals of Landscape Painting.

Do you have a refund policy?

I'm pretty positive you are going to love this course. To put your mind completely at ease, though, this course comes with a 100% risk-free, 30-day money-back guarantee.

Still have questions? Email us at [email protected]

What others are saying

Painting Realistic Landscapes is a new course, but I've been helping my students with their painting skills since 2018. These student comments are from various other courses.

"What I picked up on the most was color mixture. I have been working on this for some time. Your course has exceeded all other avenues in accomplishing this and now I have a degree of confidence to develop my own color formula. I did enjoy the way you developed the program. It was extensive and yet by following the program a person can learn quite a bit of material. The course has given me a great deal of confidence in this area."

– Roger Bailey

“I learned so much from Layne’s class. He took the 'intimidating' right out of those fiery sunsets. Layne broke it down into steps that were easy to follow. His insight and knowledge – from brushes and how to create the initial drawing and underpainting to how to mix and use complementary colors to make a sunset come alive – were incredibly helpful and easy to understand, even for a sunset painting novice like me.”

– Leslie McCarthy

"Before enrolling in this course, my biggest challenge was handling color values. The course gave me more confidence and I’m I am no longer afraid of making mistakes in my paintings. Plus, I got so much better at painting in layers. If you’re thinking about the course, my advice is to definitely enroll. You will learn so much about color value and hue, the benefits of painting in layers, and creating atmosphere and mood. Plus, you will have a great time!"

– Daniela Ramos

"Loved loved loved this class!!! I got so much out of it! You did an OUTSTANDING job explaining and organizing this class, every lesson was completely taught with all the detail you would have gotten in a live classroom.

Thank you so much!!!"

– Mary S.

“Layne takes you thru the painting step by step. I especially liked the way he showed how he mixed the colors used as he used them. He is very encouraging, no matter your skill level. I now have a knowledge base that I can use to apply to my own projects. Happy Painting!"

– Debra M.

"I just finished your Texas Liveoak course [Painting Distinctive Trees & Flora] and I find your teaching very easy to follow. I especially appreciate that you seem to switch views to your palette at just the right times and give very thorough explanations of color mixing as you teach."

– Cherilyn B.

⭐ Click here to read even more student testimonials ⭐

Note: course prices are in USD and will automatically convert to your local currency at checkout.

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