Today’s painting is another homage to winter and the beautiful grays and browns of the season. I have been fortunate to drive to teach a wonderful group of friends every Tuesday morning in the Plains, VA and on my way there I am treated to some of the most perfect mornings and blue ridge mountain gems. I make up scenes based on the drive. Today I had no class so for you in the Plains here is what I saw a few days ago after one of the recent snow storms out in the mountains. I made up everything except the blue mountains and trees. Leave the white for the snow on the hills and foreground.
details of snow on the mountains, make a cool gray of cobalt and ultramarine blue with a smidge of olive green and paint it with the side of a large round brush.
Paint a loose wash on damp paper for the sky which is a wash that is heavy on burnt sienna, cobalt blue, and permanent rose but definitely gray. Try to leave the white paper for the mountain, it will be painted later. Paint in some cool blue for distant trees and a warmer gray tone for the closer trees.
Brush in a cool gray heavy on the cobalt blue with some burnt sienna, but blue dominance, for the the background hills. Put in some dark modelling on the foreground trees, keep this light.
Using raw sienna, burnt sienna and ultramarine blue paint the foreground again leaving white suggestions for the snowy areas. scrape some weeds with a sharp knife.
Paint in the buildings leaving lots of white to indicate a layer of snow. Using a liner or rigger paint the weed and tree details. A little splatter and the painting is done.
detail of trees and houses on the right.
Great watercolor and detailed explanation. Very grateful Steve. Reading your posts and looking at your paintings come eager to catch the brushes. A respectful greeting