Look for depth!

Balance and depth are what make a landscape feel alive. Composition and light guide not only where your eye travels, but how a piece makes you feel. In this painting, South Sister Mountain, Oregon, the artist’s balance is extraordinary: every tone, shadow, and highlight works in harmony.

We’ve zoomed in here on the clouds, where you can see six or seven distinct layers between the foreground and background. That layering creates the illusion of distance and atmosphere, inviting the viewer to step into the scene.

For collectors, learning to spot this kind of depth is key. It’s a sign of true craftsmanship, and a pathway to choosing pieces that you’ll never tire of exploring.

You can see South Sister Mountain, Oregon in person during A Season for Collecting: A Holiday Exhibition for Those Beginning or Growing Their Collection, opening November 7 at Meyer Fine Art Gallery.

https://www.meyerfineart.gallery/shop/p/the-south-sisters-oregon