Three Layers of a Landscape
Great landscape paintings have three layers that create a feeling of depth — like you could walk right into the painting!
Background: this is the farthest part of the scene. It is at the top of your paper, near the horizon line. Mountains, distant trees, and faraway buildings go here. Background objects are SMALL, light in color, and have very little detail.
Middle ground: this is the middle distance. It is in the center of your paper. Houses, fences, medium-sized trees, and animals go here. Middle ground objects are MEDIUM sized with some detail.
Foreground: this is the closest part of the scene. It is at the bottom of your paper. Big flowers, rocks, a path, or large tree trunks go here. Foreground objects are BIG, bright in color, and full of detail.
Think of it like looking out over a field. Right in front of you are big blades of grass (foreground). Further away is a red barn (middle ground). Way in the distance are hazy blue mountains (background).