Mountain View

My colors are Cobalt Blue, Yellow Ochre and Sienna water colors. I've already masked off areas that need to remain white with masking fluid.

My colors are Cobalt Blue, Yellow Ochre and Sienna water colors. I've already masked off areas that need to remain white with masking fluid.

I start with the light details in the rock face.

I start with the light details in the rock face.

The masking fluid keeps my white rock areas white while I use a light yellow/brown wash. The deeper recesses are a darker wash.

The masking fluid keeps my white rock areas white while I use a light yellow/brown wash. The deeper recesses are a darker wash.

I continue to deepen the tones in the lifted up rocks on the right

I continue to deepen the tones in the lifted up rocks on the right

Basic rock wash complete

Basic rock wash complete

For the cracks in the rocks, I mix cobalt blue with a bit of red, sienna and yellow ochre to produce the darks. Here', I'm defining the recesses of the rock shelf.

For the cracks in the rocks, I mix cobalt blue with a bit of red, sienna and yellow ochre to produce the darks. Here', I'm defining the recesses of the rock shelf.

overall view

overall view

The masking is lifted off by peeling it away, leaving pure white areas.

The masking is lifted off by peeling it away, leaving pure white areas.

Next, I start developing foreground shadows by mixing cobalt blue and red. I also start creating the distant landscape and sky.

Next, I start developing foreground shadows by mixing cobalt blue and red. I also start creating the distant landscape and sky.

Using some ivory black, I start to define the contrasting ledge overlooking the valley. I also start to paint in the distant mountain ridge.

Using some ivory black, I start to define the contrasting ledge overlooking the valley. I also start to paint in the distant mountain ridge.

Detailing the distant scenery.

Detailing the distant scenery.

Here, I'm rubbing a candle for the wax on the rocks, I'm doing this to create areas that I want to be protected from the paint. The wax provides me with a rough surface and texture.

Here, I'm rubbing a candle for the wax on the rocks, I'm doing this to create areas that I want to be protected from the paint. The wax provides me with a rough surface and texture.

Next using various mixtures of yellow tones, I start to detail the rock face on the rock wall.

Next using various mixtures of yellow tones, I start to detail the rock face on the rock wall.

detail of rock wall.

detail of rock wall.

Here, I am detailing with various darker brown tones to produce the ground.

Here, I am detailing with various darker brown tones to produce the ground.

I use a cotton swab to scrumble rocky detail here.

I use a cotton swab to scrumble rocky detail here.

rocky texture that's produced with various brown to black tones over the scrumbled wax surface.

rocky texture that's produced with various brown to black tones over the scrumbled wax surface.

It's getting there!

It's getting there!

I use some ivory black to produce the forests seen on the ridge in the background

I use some ivory black to produce the forests seen on the ridge in the background

Now, I start defining shadows on the raised ridges of the sharp raised rocks. The sunlight is coming in from the right.

Now, I start defining shadows on the raised ridges of the sharp raised rocks. The sunlight is coming in from the right.

Developing shadow details.

Developing shadow details.

Completed watercolor study

Completed watercolor study

Mountain View

I produced this piece back in 2013. It's a small watercolor painting of a rocky outcrop overlooking a valley. For me this was a small study to refine my watercolor techniques.