Winter Mountain

Session One
Select an 11" x 14" canvas.
Step 1: Mark horizon/water line 3.5" above bottom edge of canvas in pencil with ruler.

Step 2: Apply white gesso above horizon/water line.

Step 3: Mix Alizarin Crimson and Yellow Ochre. Apply criss-cross strokes to sky area. As you work downward, apply Alizarin Crimson, Yellow Ochre, and Dark Sienna.

Step 4: Use corner of brush to make circular strokes for cloud shapes.

Step 5: Blend sky area to soften lines.

Step 6: Mix Mars Black, Alizarin Crimson, Dark Sienna, and small amount of Phthalo Blue. Load palette knife with thin line of this dark mountain mixture. With firm pressure shape top edge of mountain. 

Step 7: Use brush to pull down dark mixture to paint base of mountain. Let dry.

Step 8: Apply clear or white medium to mountain area.

Step 9: Use palette knife to apply snow to right side of peaks. Snow is made with Titanium White and Yellow Ochre. 

Create shadows on left sides of peaks with mixture of Titanium White, Mars Black, and a small amount of Phthalo Blue. 

Step 10: Use large brush to blend bottom of mountains to create mist.

Step 11: Wash in frozen lake and ground first with coat of white gesso or Titanium White. Add ice to lake in center with mixture of Titanium White, Alizarin Crimson, and Phthalo Blue.

Step 12: Use fan brush to make vertical evergreen trunks with mixture of Midnight Black, Alizarin Crimson, and Phthalo Blue.

Step 13: Use fan brush and dark mixture to add limbs and branches to the large evergreens. Use corner of brush on top for small branches. Add more pressure as you work down. Leave areas that show mountain and sky through the trees. Trees on right are not close so keep strokes small and light.

 Step 14: Continue adding dark evergreen branches.

Step 15: Left tree is largest because it is closest to viewer. Left side of tree is off the canvas.
Add patches of grass and rocks on ground with dark mixture.

Step 16: Add middle values to evergreens with mixture of Titanium White, Phthalo Blue, and small amount of Midnight Black.

Step 17: Add highlights to trees with Titanium White. Sign your painting!