The reference photo is from Pixabay. I love snow and haven’t lived near it since I was a kid. My dad was from the Netherlands and once told me about an old barn he stayed in after the war. During winter, the cows would be housed in the barn with them, keeping everyone warm (which, in retrospect, is a pretty wild concept). So this image reminded me of him.

I narrowed down on the trees more and compressed the main components. Then I found myself getting bogged down painting leaves and had to back off. I really struggle to find a balance in this area.

I used French ultramarine on the sky, but I’m disappointed I didn’t make it darker. I genuinely don’t use ultra much. But now I wish I’d made the painting warmer in some areas. Although there’s burnt umber on the trees, the photos I take on my phone seem to wash out quite a bit.

Any advice is very much appreciated!