Trees Watercolor

Start with these reference images:




Starting at the top of the page using blue hues, create a graduated wash, by adding water as you go down the page. This will make the value lighter, continue down the page by introducing yellow ochre and then blue hues again for the water. The foreground color is yellow ochre. After this is completed go in with a thirsty brush (a brush with no color and very little water on it) and lift out the shapes of the birch trees. Let dry.

Start the second wash with mid-values with green hues, pay attention to your value study and the shapes. Indicate trunks on the trees and continue with the same color and value into a shadow on the foreground. In this reference the light is coming from the right. Make interesting shapes for the branches. Let dry.

The last wash consists of values 1 through 4 on the value scale. Use your reference-value study as your guide as to where your putting the dark shapes. Do not cover up all of your previous washes, only on the underneath side of the branches. With a mixture of hues indicate grasses behind the trees. Drop in some color for rocks and using a credit card scrape out on the light side of the shapes.

Finish the painting by adding some branches with a rigger brush and some grasses in front of the trees. When evaluating your painting, does it have a wide range of values? Are the negative and positive shapes interesting?