I found out something about painting environments no one tells you about
Okay, I got an idea how to draw one. Further steps? My brain lagged. But I debugged it and proudly carry the information into my blog because it made me level up my thumbnails in 4 days of active exploration.
I was fumbling around with no idea how to approach these small invisible decisions that we make for a picture. I already knew about the shape size variation thing we should do to make scenes look better, but it still looked chaotic. Pros probably learn it intuitively, but I gave it a language — here's the trick:
Foreground, midground, background. Each of these scene layers has it's own dominant value. Look at these pictures — they go from dark (FG) -> light (BG) with some transitional values in-between these layers to keep it cohesive. This was an important insight that helped me greatly. Depending on the mood (which is the first thing you should determine) the arrangement of values can vary. You can make a dark BG, light MG and midtone FG. Your choice.
The next aspect of a scene to keep in mind — shape rhythm & tempo control. A visual rhythm is basically the same feeling of a form (angular in the examples above) repeating through the whole scene. It makes everything look more cohesive and intentional. Here are some things to consider to manage your visual rhythms and bring in interest (variety):
Repetition
You repeat more or less the same shape throughout the scene. Look at the examples above — foliage, branches, rooftops — all has pretty sharp angles.
Size variations
Big, medium, small. Always adds interest.
Directional flow
Let the shapes look into different directions. You can point them to the focal point (I will revisit this later in this post) or just elsewhere for variety. As long as it doesn't disrupt the composition.
Contrast/disruption
As long as it doesn't disrupt the composition? Now we "break" this rule. We add another form — in the pictures above (1, 2) there is a curve leading us into the scene. It's not angular, so our eye is drawn to this contrast amidst the triangles. It's a compositional element and leads us through the scene.
Rhythm tempo
Now we arrive at FG/MG/BG again. As each layer has its own dominant value, they also have different rhythm tempos — generally, how often the shape repeats in one layer, how tight they are placed to each other, how big they are and what edges they have.
First, repetitions and spacing:
-> Fast tempo = tight spacing, lots of shapes and variety — creates a feeling of noise.
-> Slow tempo = bigger gaps, fewer shapes, less variety — creates calmness.
-> Dynamic tempo = a mix of both above. Most interest.
Size:
-> Small shapes = fast.
-> Big shapes = slow.
-> Medium shapes = medium tempo.
Directionality:
-> Shapes look in different directions = more chaotic, more movement = fast.
-> Shapes look in the same direction = more calm, order = slow.
-> A mix of both would make it dynamic.
Edges:
-> Smooth edges = calm = slow rhythm.
-> Jagged, broken, complex = visual noise = fast.
-> Mix = dynamic.
Readability
So... How do we actually manage all this calm and noise?
-> Fast tempo = can become too noisy with too much variation and clutter — hurts readability.
-> Slow tempo = easier to read — fewer elements competing for attention.
-> Dynamic tempo = highest potential for both clarity and interest if variation is controlled well.
A rhythm in the overall scene can be:
-> Fast + clear = readable.
-> Fast + messy = unreadable.
-> Slow + clear = very readable (but probably boring)
-> Slow and messy = confusing.
Start with emotion
- Calm -> few large shapes, simple edges -> slow tempo.
- Busy -> many small/medium shapes, complex edges -> fast tempo.
- Ancient -> repetitive + fractured, with some disorder -> mid-fast tempo.
- Holy -> balanced spacing, symmetrical, slow variation -> slow tempo.
- Tense -> uneven spacing, jagged silhouettes -> mid-fast.
- Organic -> smooth edges but asymmetrical shapes/spacing -> mid.
Choose shape language
- Round = Soft, friendly.
- Rectangular = reliable, stable, grounded.
- Triangular = dynamic, tension, danger.
-> Mix these for mixed shape feeling.
Keep variation within a shape family
- Similar base shape.
- Different scale, rotation, spacing.
- One shape type (language) + 1 disruptor form.
Elements in the scene have a function — shape families — groups of visual masses that feel related in some way. Here are the ones I found:
Anchor shapes — create stability, calm, structure.
Examples: ground planes, cliffs, walls, main body of a tree (think: heavy/chunky).
Directional shapes — add motion or guide composition.
Examples: rivers, roads, tree branches, smoke, shadows (think: pointing/leading somewhere).
Accent shapes: add tension, life, story hooks, draw in attention.
Examples: anything high contrast, elements that pop.
Bridge shapes — connect different forms/planes, prevent image fragmentation, unify areas.
Examples: mid-ground trees, archways, transitional rocks, buildings between land and sky (think: "melting", mood, readability).
Rhythm shapes — create a beat/visual pulse, tempo, pattern, pacing.
Framing shapes — enclose the focal point/guide attention inward.
Examples: foreground branches, cave entrances, architecture.
Texture — add visual noise, realism, material surface info.
Atmospheric/mood shapes — suggest weather, tone, emotion without physical form.
Examples: fog, glow zones, backlight haze, dust.
Story shapes — carry narrative or cultural/worldbuilding info.
Many shapes serve several functions at once. A broken tower might be an anchor, directional form and story shape at the same time.
This is my progress in 4 days:
Beginning
Today (the first attempt after figuring things out)