Step 1
A sketching trip to Zion National Park during January 2010 was the stimulus for this watercolor painting. I used the reference for a watercolor demonstration during one of my Two-Day Watercolor Painting Workshops. My student Gail Alger shot a digital video of this process.
Step 2
I shot this reference photo while hiking in Zion Canyon. A fresh blanket of snow had recently fallen. The air was crisp and the contrast of white against the red sandstone rocks was exciting.
Step 3
I begin with a small 3″ x 5″ Thumbnail value study to help plan the overall design composition and work out the darks and lights. With this study taped to my art board I am ready to start the painting.
Step 4
With the thumbnail taped to my board, I begin by laying in a sky wash. While it is drying I move down onto the cliff face and paint the lightest lights and the middle values. I am careful to leave the paper white where the snow will be.
Step 5
I’m working on 140 lb. Arches Cold Press watercolor paper, which is my favorite paper for smaller works. I wet the sky area first, then drop in my colors using first Yellow Ochre, then Cadmium red Light, followed by Ultramarine Blue, which gives me the warm grays of the cloud shadow.
Step 6
While painting I keep my value study and reference photo nearby. I pay more attention to my value study than the photo. I am simplifying the shapes to direct the viewer’s attention to the areas that are most important.
Step 7
Finished 40-minute Painting”Rock and Snow” 8″ x 12″. Watch the 8 minute video “Rock and Snow“