Grand Marais Watercolor

Start with these reference images:

Start painting background to foreground on the composition. Using a blue hue indicate the top of the sky. Come down adding water to your brush and a slight amount of red or pink. Come down to the horizon line. Let dry.

Start to show the tree shapes using your value study to indicate your light values. Show the local hue of the foreground with different colors. While the pigment is still wet, apply saran wrap or wax paper. Let dry.

When you remove your wax or saran paper you will see some nice textures that the papers created. Using your middle values now, indicate your shapes from your value study with mid-values hues - similar colors, but darker values. Let dry.

Show a horizon line with a darker value than the sky. Carry down that color trying not to cover up all of your first wash. Using your dark values bring out those dark shapes with a variety of colors. Using a rigger brush show some dead branches and some brush.