Painting the Figure In the Landscape

Bonnie Ganglehof contacted me in October because she was writing and article for Southwest Art Magazine’s January edition called Painting the Figure in to the Landscape. This being something that I do frequently, she decided to include me in the article. Naturally, and honored by the request, I did it as well and putting a full page advertisement in the edition. The article inspired me to dig up past paintings of the subject and compile a special gallery of that type of work.
As many of you know, I do a lot of plein air work and many highly coveted invitational events. These events attract some of the best painters in the country working from life and as the French say en plein air (working from life on location). Many of the artists steer or shy away from painting the figure in to scenes though. Not sure why but I have my ideas. Primarily, it is very difficult. Why risk possibly ruining a good painting by trying to put a figure in to it. It requires a very strong sense and ability to capture gesture, which is one of the most difficult attributes to painting the figure in general.
So Collectors, when you see figures in the landscape painted well, you can bet the artist is heading for a career that will continually grow. Not that those painters that do not paint figures in to their landscapes will have plummeting careers, it’s just that a higher draftsmanship is required in doing so, so I feel that it is a higher sensitivity towards subject. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

Here’s why to DO it, and I don’t do it in every painting, but: It gives the painting a lived in feel, and complies with my artist’s statement of painting in the genre, Impressionistic Realism. It gives the scene a great sense of scale. If you can paint the figure in to the scene in a way that is ambiguous, there by creating a sense that it is anyone, it can be very appealing, and easier to empathize with the subjects in the scene.

Here is the entire body of work created in the genre over the years. Many of the paintings below have sold, but there are many that are still available. For availability, go to the navigation bar above and click or roll over paintings, go to figurative paintings and click into that particular gallery.

This entry was posted in Featured Content, Figurative, General, Landscape, Painting.

7 Comments

  1. Peggy Wilson December 4, 2011 at 7:26 pm #

    Congratulations on the article. I guess I know 2 friends that are lucky to own two of these landscape with figure paintings!

  2. Teddy Jackson December 4, 2011 at 9:22 pm #

    Way to go. Josh. Always great to hear of your successes. Noticed you will be in Door County again this year. Hoping that Tammie will be going with me this time.

  3. Peggy Hill December 6, 2011 at 2:03 pm #

    It is such a pleasure to learn of your successes. Your work is marvelous and I am proud to have a few in my home. Your mini miniatures are great too. Need a price list please of those and the miniatures that are available as well, please, Joshua.

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    Peggy

  4. Kitty Lynne Klich December 9, 2011 at 10:32 am #

    Hi Josh, and wishes for a beautiful and blessed holiday season for you and your family. If you are coming to Door County again this summer, 2012, please let me know as I do want to come up and visit with you. The cover on the calendar is breathtaking. I keep thinking about what you said about Thomas Merton and the other first painters of the west and southwest and how they paved the way for the National Parks, etc. I look at your work and get the sense that their blood flows through your veins.
    All the best,
    Kitty

    I wish

  5. Jean Cox December 10, 2011 at 8:17 am #

    Have fond memories of passing through Salida a couple years ago and just stumbling into your studio. What talent you have and I, too, am happy for your successes. While you have so many paintings shown, I, too, would like to see a price list.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

  6. Cody DeLong December 16, 2011 at 5:59 pm #

    Way to go buddy!

  7. Ross Busby April 20, 2012 at 8:47 am #

    Josh, After seeing the work you delivered to The Governor’s Invitational Art Show in Loveland and then checking your site, I have to say that no photos of you work can do them justice. In real life, they are breathtaking and I hope that all who show an interest in your work will be fortunate enough to see them in person.

    See ya later,

    Ross

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