In this lesson, I focused on refining another landscape, with an emphasis on reflections, light hierarchy, and the interplay of masses. This particular scene, filled with rocks and a mirror-like lake, provided a perfect opportunity to explore how light and shadow can bring depth and character to a painting.

Reflections: Darker than the Source

One of the first things I always remind myself when working with reflections is that they’re never as bright as the source. This is more than a rule—it’s a visual fact. Even in a lake that seems to reflect the sky perfectly, the reflected value is always darker.

Here, I adjusted the water to darken the reflections further. By doing so, I was able to create a more compelling visual hierarchy. The water became a supporting player, letting the brighter elements, like the sunlit rocks, take center stage.

Watch my MasterDemo to learn more.

Drag the slider left and right to see the adjustments I made to this scene.

Sculpting Light and Shadow

I wanted to highlight the warm, golden sunlight hitting the rocks, particularly on the planes facing directly toward the sun. These sunlit planes are the brightest and warmest, but as the surface turns away from the light, the tones grow more neutral and subdued.

By carefully layering these transitions—bright sunlit planes, three-quarter light, and finally shadow—I could sculpt the rocks to feel dimensional and grounded. Each plane became a distinct facet, contributing to a sense of volume and form.

I also incorporated bounce light into the shadows. The scattered warm light bouncing back into darker areas adds subtle variation and keeps the shadows from feeling flat. Even in the three-quarter light, the warmth of the sunlight remains present, though more understated.

Masses, Not Details

When addressing the trees in the composition, I deliberately avoided thinking of them as “trees.” Instead, I treated them as abstract masses—blocks of color and shape that help guide the eye.

I added a few trees to create a rhythm and flow through the scene. Their placement was less about mimicking nature and more about serving the composition. The light hitting these masses was kept warm, creating a balance between the rocks and the surrounding elements.

By focusing on the big picture, I could ensure these masses worked harmoniously, leading the eye and reinforcing the overall hierarchy of light and shadow.

Prioritizing Light Hierarchy

In both the trees and rocks, I avoided a 50-50 split between sunlight and shadow. To create clarity and a sense of purpose, I leaned into a hierarchy. For this composition, sunlight dominated, with shadow playing a supporting role.

This approach keeps the painting from feeling indecisive. When most of the surface is lit, it emphasizes the warmth and brightness of the scene, while the shadows add depth and contrast without competing for attention.

Adding Dimension

To enhance the sense of volume, I worked on sculpting the rocks more intentionally. The flatness of the original shapes was replaced with carefully carved planes, each one catching or turning away from the light. This gave the rocks a sense of solidity and weight, making them feel like they belonged in the scene.

Drag the slider left and right to see the adjustments I made to this scene.

Final Thoughts

What stood out to me in this lesson was how much control we have as artists to shape the way a scene reads. By darkening reflections, simplifying masses, and carefully sculpting light and shadow, we can guide the viewer’s experience and create something far more dynamic than what we see in nature.

Every element—the rocks, trees, water—serves the composition as a whole. It’s not about copying what’s there but about designing something that feels intentional and alive.

For me, this process of editing and refining is where the magic happens. It’s where the painting starts to take on a life of its own, and every choice becomes an opportunity to push the story further.