Dynamic Lines in the Mountains (Weekly Challenge #179)

Natalia C.
Sep 5
3 min read

This week we take a deep breath of crisp mountain air and wander through the summer trails of Park City, Utah, USA, which is known for its snowy ski slopes and Olympic history, but equally stunning during the warmer months. These reference photos, generously shared by our co-host @srsigdesigns, capture a vibrant, peaceful side of this alpine destination. The rolling hills, playful shadows, and rich green tones all invite exploration, not just with your feet, but with your brush or pencil.

Focus Point: Dynamic Composition & Diagonals

Our focus this week is Dynamic Composition & Diagonals — an essential tool to energize your artwork. Diagonals help direct the viewer’s gaze, create natural movement, and add visual drama even in tranquil scenes. Whether it's a trail curving into the woods or a hillside bathed in evening light, these elements can make your landscape feel alive and intentional.

If you’ve ever felt like your compositions were too “static” or didn’t guide the viewer through the painting, this week is the perfect opportunity to change that. Learn how diagonals can lead the eye, break the monotony, and strengthen your visual storytelling.

Want to understand more? Check my dedicated post Dynamic Composition in Landscape Art: How Diagonal Lines Create Energy and Movement breaks it all down with detailed explanation and masterpiece examples.

Analyzing This Week’s Reference Photos

Let’s dive into the photos!

Photo 1: Stream and Stones

A small rocky stream flows through the foreground, framed by a gentle diagonal slope from upper left to lower right.

A small stream flows through a lush mountainside with green grass and tall evergreens under a clear blue sky, creating a tranquil scene. — Week 179: Park City, Utah, USA. Photo Credit: @srsigdesigns

Challenge as a photo: This reference offers a layered, zig-zagging flow through the scene — great for building a path that leads the viewer’s eye naturally.

Focus Questions:

Where does your eye travel first — the water, rocks, or shadows?
How can you exaggerate or simplify the diagonals for stronger impact?

Tips:

Use overlapping shapes to enhance depth.
Try lighter water tones as a visual “thread” across the middle.
Darken edges or corners slightly to keep focus central.

Photo 2: Cabin in the Pines

A cozy wooden cabin sits on a diagonal hill, framed by tall pines with shadows stretching downhill.

A wooden cabin sits in a sunlit forest clearing, surrounded by tall pine trees on a lush green hillside, under a clear blue sky. — Week 179: Park City, Utah, USA. Photo Credit: @srsigdesigns

Challenge as a photo: The strong light and cast shadows on the slope create clear diagonals — a great chance to practice contrast and placement.

Focus Questions:

How does the angle of the hill guide the eye toward the cabin?
Could you push the contrast between lit and shaded areas?

Tips:

Emphasize tree trunk rhythm to support the diagonal slope.
Let sunlight shapes fall boldly across the grass.
Try a composition where the cabin is off-center for tension.

Photo 3: Trail of Greens

A lush summer trail leads into a gentle valley, flanked by trees on either side.

A green meadow with yellow flowers, a forest path, and tall pine trees under a clear blue sky, creating a serene, natural setting. — Week 179: Park City, Utah, USA. Photo Credit: @srsigdesigns

Challenge as a photo: Here, the path acts as a classic compositional diagonal, giving you an easy lead-in line, which is great for testing how much to keep or alter in your version.

Focus Questions:

Will you keep the dark trail in the foreground or brighten it?
Could you push perspective lines more for extra movement?

Tips:

Use cool shadows to contrast warm sunny greens.
Let yellow flowers highlight natural curve lines.
Don’t be afraid to crop — diagonals don’t need to go corner to corner.

Photo 4: Meadow and Road

A wide-open view with a dirt road curving right, framed by trees and distant mountains.

Trail through a grassy field with a wire fence, bordered by trees. Mountains in the distance under a clear blue sky. Calm and serene mood. — Week 179: Park City, Utah, USA. Photo Credit: @srsigdesigns

Challenge as a photo: This is a slower, more peaceful composition — a good place to test subtle diagonals, where movement is suggested, not shouted.

Focus Questions:

How can you balance the vertical trees with the soft diagonal of the road?
Is there room for clouds or textures in the sky to echo movement?

Tips:

Use soft edge blending in the sky and meadow.
Try a diagonal texture stroke across the path to keep direction clear.
Balance light carefully across both sides to hold viewer attention.

This week’s photos are calm yet full of natural diagonals — from paths and hillsides to trees and shadows. The goal is to create movement and direction in your composition, using angles to energize your scene. You don’t need to paint all the details, instead choose elements that guide the eye. Focus on the flow, not just the forms.

Share your take using #landscapeartclub179 on Instagram to get featured in our account!