Forest Stream 1 - A Work in Progress

I wanted to paint today but didn't really know what I wanted to work on, so as I looked through the many smaller pieces I had started over the years I decided to work on this one (see post on 13 February 2013).

I thought it would make a nice winter forest scene and indicated the placement of the larger trees and also put in a small stream running through them.

This painting was originally called Grey Sky 1 and I have changed the name to Forest Stream 1.














At the back of my property I have 4 acres (1.6ha) of mixed hardwood consisting mainly of maple, birch and elm which I thought would make in interesting painting.

Working from the back forward I put in the distant tree line with a pale mix of French ultramarine and burnt sienna.

Gradually darkening the mixture slightly I added the first of a slightly closer tree, then the next closer tree and for a change put in the markings on one of the birch trees to get an idea of the values needed for the painting.













I will post this painting as more work on it is completed.