Mountain backdrops can be realistic or impressionistic.
Backdrops are an important part of a theatrical event. They set the scene for the action on stage and help the audience suspend their disbelief. Styles of backdrops can range from impressionistic images to highly realistic trompe l'oeil scenes. The technique of painting backdrops is similar in many ways to creating paintings on a smaller scale. Artists must consider color, scale, perspective and shading to create a mountain backdrop. Working with a photograph and a grid will make the job of creating a large-scale backdrop a lot easier.
Instructions
1. Select a mountain photograph to base your backdrop on. Draw a grid on your picture using a ruler and pencil. Divide the photograph into 1-inch boxes.
2. Cut your muslin fabric to the desired size of your backdrop. Staple or sew several pieces of fabric together if you cannot find fabric with a wide enough yardage to fit your dimensions. Tape a plastic drop cloth or sheet to the wall where you will be painting. Staple or tack your backdrop to the wall. Prime the muslin with acrylic gesso, using a large brush or small paint roller.
3. Make a grid on your backdrop to correspond to the grid on your photograph, using a tape measure and dark pencil. Be sure that both grids have the same number of boxes. Roughly sketch out the composition of the backdrop with a soft pencil, working from the grid on the photograph. Mix water with acrylic paints to do a wash of color over the entire backdrop. Block out general areas of color, but do not add any details.
4. Working from background to foreground, begin to build up layers of paint. Use large brushes to keep the painting loose and details to a minimum. Paint the sky before beginning the mountains. Follow the photograph and the grid, concentrating on capturing the general shapes and areas of lights and darks. Keep the colors in the background soft and blended to trick the eye into thinking they are further away. Use more blues and cool colors for the mountains in the far distance to recreate the way our eyes naturally perceive distant scenes. Add crisp edges, brighter color and more detail to any objects in the foreground. Assess the overall effectiveness of your backdrop by looking at it from a distance or by squinting your eyes.
5. Wash all brushes with soap and water.
