5. Simple Monochromatic Mountain Range
Monochromatic painting—using only one color—is a fantastic way to learn about values (the lightness or darkness of a color) without getting overwhelmed by color theory. Indigo, payne’s grey, or sepia are perfect choices for this project. You will paint a series of overlapping mountain ridges, starting from the back and moving forward. The key is to make the furthest mountains incredibly pale and watery. With each subsequent layer closer to the viewer, you add slightly more pigment to your mix, making each mountain ridge darker than the one behind it. This simple exercise beautifully demonstrates atmospheric perspective with minimal effort.