"Above Tree Line"

In this demonstration of "Above Tree Line" I wanted to show one of the many working methods I normally use in painting. I will try to explain each stage in a little detail under each progressive level.

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After my initial wash to tone in the canvas, I began to put in a simple standard block in. I used Cobalt Blue, Terra Rosa, and a little Yellow Ochre in varying degrees for the entire wash of rocks. This entire area will be in shadow, so a grey violet wash was used.

I continued my standard block in by placing my foreground darks and the row of trees off in the distance. I used Cobalt Blue, Terra Rosa and a small amount of Quinacridone Gold for the back row of trees. For the foreground trees and shrubs I used Transparent Oxide Red, Ultramarine Blue Deep, Alizarin Crimson and Quinacridone Gold, all the while making sure that my mixture stays thin.

I now begin to do some serious drawing and begin to place in the darks of the rocks. I'm still keeping my paint very thin, because I know that I'll be going in and working over the top of it. With this done the block in is complete and I can now begin to do finishing work.

Starting with the top, I begin to put in the sky and work my way down finishing

 with the trees along the ridgeline.

From the trees I start working down putting in the snow using a combination of Cobalt Blue and Terra Rosa. I also do further work on the rocks and the large rock face on the right.

I continue to work down finishing as I go. On the right I go ahead and finish the pine tree, and the rock face behind it.

I continue working down on the right hand side of the painting finishing the foreground.

An thus the finished painting "Near Tree Line" 30x40.
I added in a few extra white highlights on the left snow area to help direct the eye. But all in all, it's just a simple standard block in, followed by working from top to bottom all the way to completion.