Snow

Snow
Watercolour on Paper
12cm x 16.5cm (4.75" x 6.5")

Snow is the fifth topic in the Skies and Weather chapter of Creating Textures in Pen & Ink with Watercolor by Claudia Nice.

I cross referenced Claudia’s advice with a section on Snow and Ice in the Atmospheric Effects chapter in James Gurney’s Color and Light (A Guide for the Realist Painter). 

The first painting is based on some photos I took on the outskirts of Swindon back in January 2013. I drew the snow-covered tree trunks with masking fluid before starting the painting. Claudia suggests adding salt crystals to a wash to create snowflakes – I mistimed the application because the snowflakes are not particularly prominent.

Snow 2
Watercolour on Paper
12cm x 16.5cm (4.75" x 6.5")

The second picture is based (loosely) on one of James’ studies. This time, I created the light tree trunks on the darker background by applying the paint and partially scraping it off before it dried.