Simplifying your subject...

So, how do we simplify our paintings?

There are 3 basic ways to simplify. The first is so obvious we often forget about it:

1. Leave it out.
If it doesn’t help your painting, leave it out. If leaving it out makes something look funny when your painting is done, THEN you can put it in.

2. Average it out.
A field of blades of grass in sunlight, millions of light and dark green little vertical lines? What is the average color? Paint it in flat in that color.

3. Reduce the number.
Put in some of the things in your scene, just reduce the number of them. No need to put in EVERY one.
This works great for rocks, bricks in a wall, fenceposts, windows, etc.