Hello everyone! I’ve tried to paint this scene several times as it’s a view I admire every time I walk past on my walks. The forest recedes and gives way to hills which in the summer are covered with striking purple heather. In the winter they’re more of a soft warm brownish orange. I wanted to capture the stillness and calm of the overcast and short days we often get during the Swedish winter. We only get a few hours of dull light but I enjoy the soft box kind of lighting. It doesn’t give opportunity to practice interesting skies though. I cropped the final painting because I didn’t like some of the background trees.

Materials used:

Saunders Waterford CP 310x230mm (cropped)

Winsor & Newton yellow ochre, raw sienna, burnt sienna, burnt umber, permanent rose, ultramarine blue, Chinese white and payne’s gray

Daniel Smith cobalt turquoise, cerulean blue and quinacridone gold

Escoda Ultimo 18, Escoda Prado 12 and 8 and a W&N 2 rigger (the rigger is a bit soft so recommendations for a more rigid one are appreciated)

Any critique is welcome! Specifically regarding values as I’m struggling with getting them right.

All the best,

Isa