This "golden rule" dictates that every subsequent layer should have more oil content ("fat") than the one beneath it ("lean") to prevent cracking.

A successful landscape is rarely an exact copy of a photograph; it is a "translation" that guides the viewer's eye. Divide your canvas into a

To simulate distance, colors should become lighter, cooler, and less saturated as they recede toward the background.

Mapping the literal ground of the painting, from rolling hills to jagged peaks.

Establishing a clear horizon line—higher up for sea details or lower for dramatic skies—is critical for realistic spatial relationships. 3. Critical Technical Principles