This is, probably, the most difficult and big painting I've done so far. And it was a journey.

Again, while I'm reading Lord of the Rings, I wanted to do something inspipred by Rivendell, but more grounded. I picked a photo of Lauterbrunnen since it was inspiration for Rivendell. As you can see, I've changed a photo a bit (or a lot)...

As a I found out while painting I actually visited Lauterbrunnen as a kid - but I was 6 at the time and don't rememmber it at all. Defenetly will need to go there as an adult at some point.

Then sketching strated. I still didt know what I wanted in the left corner and also I debated If I wanted to use cobalt blue or azure. Cobalt blue that I have granulate most of the times when I'm trying it and I really dislike granulation in the sky, but azure is very pungent.

On the color sketch I really liked the big shadow and color scheme, so I wanted to paint this piece even more. You can see where I marked with while gouache where I want light aread on the big version.

Not to draw and erase on arches paper I did a scale drawing on different paper (this all was in waste after all). This piece of arches paper was my last and for months I didn't know what to paint on in and so scared to damage or ruin it. But when I put transfer paper on the arches it sticked! I dont know why - but it created really dark spots all over the place that I couldnt erase. (I didn't take a picture cause I was too upset). I used this paper befor and it worked fine. Was it wet? Did I somehow pressed too hard? Can it spoile? Did I store it or arches paper incorectly? I don't know.

Anyway I rotated the paper in the way, that the dark shadow mostly are over markes and decided to make it my practice piece for brush control. I used only this three brushes (synthetic 4, kolinsky 6 and squirrel 20) and the big one for the shadow.

This kolinsky brush I had fo almost a year and I feel it already lost it point. Did I use it and treat it impropperly or is it a normal life cycle of a kolinsky brush?

Usually I would use masking fluid to save that while on edge, but this time I just tried to create a straight line as best as I could and added some white gouashe at the end. Also to cover last of dark spots.

I know this is almost an illustration then a classical landscape, but I hope it is still okay to post here. I would love some critique on my watercolor techniques and aproach to creating a piece like this. Sorry for such a long post!

All comment are welcome!