Alaskan Spruce Trees offer an exciting challenge especially when developed over a watercolor underpainting. The trees can be suggested with pastel sticks but the trick is to keep them simple and not overworked. At the same time one must use different values (layers of pastel) to give the trees recognizable identity.
Spruce Trees on the Gastineau Channel
Watercolor underpainting in warm yellows was applied to the land mass area and where the trees would be developed. Using three different values of pastel the trees were developed increasing the value and intensity of the color in the closer trees and allowing the background trees to remain a lighter, cooler color.
The color of the water was also executed in the initial watercolor underpainting stage of the painting. Reflections were strengthen with pastel.
The entire painting has a misty, ethereal feel so typical of the Alaskan landscape.
Alaskan Spruce Forest
The approach to this painting was much the same as the previous painting but the watercolor underpainting was done with cadmium scarlet, permanent rose and cobalt blue. Care was taken that the red and scarlet colors were laid in the area designated for the forest. Some of the cobalt blue was allowed to mix with the scarlet to produce lavender to suggest distance.
The distant trees were painted with light grayed green. Warmer greens and stronger values were used as the trees move forward.
Again, care was taken to avoid overworking the trees, suggesting shape and growth rather than a detailed rendering.
