Simplify the Scene: Foreground vs Background (Weekly Challenge #167)

This week we’re heading into the lush woodlands of New England, exploring the sculpted granite pools and waterfalls of Diana’s Baths, located just outside North Conway, New Hampshire.

These natural rock formations are carved into a gentle slope where mountain streams flow over smoothed granite, forming shallow pools, mini waterfalls, and stacked stone ledges. This spot is beloved by hikers and artists alike — it's rich with texture, water movement, and dense forest all around.

From an artistic point of view, these references offer a mix of strong shapes, flowing water, and lots of visual layers. But with all that detail, it’s easy to get overwhelmed — which is why this week’s focus on foreground vs background makes so much sense. If you can learn to simplify, clarify, and lead the viewer’s eye through these complex scenes, you’re building a super valuable skill.

A warm thank you to our co-host @julia_bethmann, a Massachusetts-based artist who loves getting outdoors to sketch. Her enthusiasm for fieldwork reminds us that landscapes don’t need to be epic to be beautiful — just observed with intention.

Let’s explore the reference photos!

Focus Point: Foreground vs Background

This week we’re practicing how to lead the viewer’s attention by clearly separating foreground from background — even in scenes that aren’t naturally dramatic.

This concept, also called creating depth, helps turn a busy photo into a readable and intentional painting. Instead of copying all the detail everywhere, ask:

• What’s closest to me?

• Where do I want the eye to go first?

• What needs to be simplified in the background?

  
  

There are many tools to create separation: contrast, edge sharpness, color temperature, and composition choices!  Read the full theory blog post here

This part is optional but super helpful if you want to understand how the eye moves through an image, and how your decisions affect that.

Photo Analysis & Artistic Challenges

Let's analyze the photo references one-by-one.

Photo 1: River rushes through forest rocks

This energetic mountain stream flows downhill, tumbling over chunky boulders and weaving between forested slopes. The rich textures of the rocks contrast with the soft greenery and distant tree trunks. While the photo captures the wild rhythm of moving water, it also presents a compositional challenge: everything is crisp and detailed, making it hard for the eye to settle.

Week 167: Diana’s Baths, New Hampshire. Photo Credit: @julia_bethmann

Challenge as a photo:

Try to resist the urge to render every rock and ripple equally. How can you use value and edge control to create visual depth and flow?

Focus Questions:

• Where does your eye land first, and why?

• How might you simplify the background to bring clarity to the foreground?

  
  

Tips:

• Use contrast and shadow to highlight key rock forms near the front.

• Reduce detail and lighten values as the scene recedes.

• Use the stream’s path to build a gentle visual lead-in for the viewer.

  
  

Photo 2: Waterfalls on carved granite

A sculptural set of granite ledges slices across the scene, guiding the cascading water downward. The heavy geometric shapes are visually striking, but they compete with the sharp, upright forest beyond. The photo is full of hard edges and textures, which can make it feel visually overwhelming if not simplified.

Week 167: Diana’s Baths, New Hampshire. Photo Credit: @julia_bethmann

Challenge as a photo:

This composition has strong shapes but little depth. Without changes, the foreground and background merge into one busy layer.

Focus Questions:

• Which elements could you blur or abstract to create more space?

• Can the water serve as your leading line into the scene?

Tips:

• Treat the background forest as a simplified mass or color wash.

• Emphasize angular contrasts in the foreground rock planes.

• Let the waterfall act as a central movement path through the image.

Photo 3: Stream through rocky forest gorge

This expansive view shows multiple planes: rocks, layered falls, and a curtain of pine trees. There’s a lot to love in this reference — from light bouncing off granite to quiet pools tucked into the scene — but it requires thoughtful composition to avoid looking too flat or too busy.

Week 167: Diana’s Baths, New Hampshire. Photo Credit: @julia_bethmann

Challenge as a photo:

The width of the view flattens depth. You’ll need to actively build layers with value and form to regain structure.

Focus Questions:

• What would you feature as the “hero” of the scene — the water, the gorge, or the light?

• Could you crop or reframe the view to make it stronger?

Tips:

• Use light and shadow patterns to suggest form without over-detailing.

• Let distant shapes fade with cooler or lighter tones.

• Consider adding a strong foreground shape to anchor the composition.

Photo 4: Pools and ledges in granite rock

A quiet, reflective pool rests between wide slabs of granite, framed by evergreens and boulders. Compared to the other images, this one feels more static and calm. But the compositional simplicity is deceptive — it offers a great opportunity to explore texture, reflection, and atmosphere.

Week 167: Diana’s Baths, New Hampshire. Photo Credit: @julia_bethmann

Challenge as a photo:

The flatness of the composition lacks an immediate focal point. You’ll need to make intentional choices to guide the viewer.

Focus Questions:

• Can you use reflections or light to add depth?

• How might you carve out distinct spatial zones within the rocks?

Tips:

• Introduce variation in surface texture to contrast dry vs. wet stone.

• Emphasize subtle shifts in temperature between lit and shadowed areas.

• Use soft transitions in the background to push space further back.

---

Choose your favorite reference, or mix and match elements to create your own composition. Focus on building clear spatial layers and leading the viewer’s eye through the scene. Remember, the goal isn’t to copy every detail — it’s to interpret the scene with intention, separating foreground from background to bring clarity and depth. Whether you're sketching quickly or working on a full painting, each choice you make helps build visual storytelling.

We can’t wait to see your creative interpretations! Submit your piece for this challenge by Thursday, 15 May 2025 at 23:59 CET. Use the hashtag #landscapeartclub167 and tag @landscapeartclub and co-host @julia_bethmann to get featured.

And if you're craving more inspiration, don’t forget to explore our Reference Library — you’ll find more photos of waterfalls, forest streams, and natural rock formations to keep practicing this essential skill. Happy painting!