Winter in Oslo was particularly harsh this year, and being a "westerner", I'm used to milder, rainier seasons. However, the cold weather also sets the scene for some lovely painting opportunities, especially in terms of lighting conditions. I haven't painted much lately, but I still try to keep my brushes wet. I often see myself choosing way too busy subjects, and this scene was an attempt to go back to the basics, to focus on the morning light, the sky, and the contrast vs backlit trees, to get a sense of "place". The picture probably should have a figure or two, or something there to bring more "life" to the scene, but I quite like the serenity of it, and my aim was to capture the cool morning light and to practice different watercolour techniques.

(12 x 9", SW rough,,"correct side", only colours are ultramarine, viridian, raw sienna, burnt sienna, light red, permanent rose and a touch of white gouache)

Do tell me what you like and what you don't like?

Reference photo (taken with my new 50mm lens, which I really love for landscape reference photos):