Landscape into Art by Kenneth Clark

Landscape into Art by Kenneth Clark The Contents Page

Landscape into Art by Kenneth Clark (later Lord Clark "of Civilisation" fame) is a classic book about the history and development of the landscape in art. I came across references to this book time and time again while doing my initial research about landscape art.

`We are surrounded with things which we have not made and which have a life and structure different from our own: trees, flowers, grasses, rivers, hills, clouds. For centuries they have inspired us with curiosity and awe. They have been objects of delight. We have recreated them in our imaginations to reflect our moods. And we have come to think of them as contributing to an idea which we have called nature. Landscape painting marks the stages in our conception of nature. Its rise and development since the Middle Ages is part of a cycle in which the human spirit attempted once more to create a harmony with its environment.'
Kenneth Clark

You can read the 1949 edition of this book online on The Internet Archive. It also appears to be available to download from the Internet Archive. You can also now preview this book on Google Books - if you find the right link! Above is a screendump of the contents page.

I have to get a 'proper' copy of this book not least because I love his categories of how landscape art works

• the landscape of symbols
• the landscape of fact
• landscape of fantasy
• ideal landscape
• the natural vision
• the northern lights
• the return to order
  

Free e-book of tips for painting a plein air landscape

Artist Daily - the social media website of the art magazine 'American Artist' - has a number of e-books which are free to download.

One of these is 24 Tips to Learn How To Paint a Plein Air Landscape. This forms part of their series on oil painting techniques.

....you’ll find tips on how to get started working en plein air and how to improve your en plein air painting technique.Featured artist Donald Demers emphasizes the importance of learning from each landscape painting, whether it’s a successful one or a disappointment, and members of the Plein-Air Painters of America (PAPA) stress the need to maintain focus, especially when painting chaotic garden scenes.

I've just downloaded it and haven't read it as yet - but will be giving it a review over on Making A Mark reviews in due course. A quick scan of the article suggests that oil painters will find it more interesting but that it contains some tips which apply to plein air painting generally.

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If you've already downloaded it, feel free to leave your comments on it here