I like to fix the watercolor paper on board before starting to paint that way I stretch it at the same time it is mounted.This is what I did here, before starting a detailed pencil drawing.

I did preserve some white areas with masking fluid. I let the masking fluid dry naturally as using a hair dryer would make it very difficult to remove.

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Daler-Rowney Masking Fluid This fluid is used to create striking white highlights or to mask areas for overpainting at a later stage. It forms a fast-drying, water-resistant film on watercolor paper and board, and is easily removed when dry.

I start by painting the lightest areas with a mix of sap green, lemon yellow, yellow ocher  and permanent red.

My watercolor palette.

I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.

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Da Vinci Artists’ Permanent Watercolors, 292 Yellow Ochre, 15 ml Da Vinci paints are exciting, intense, and rated among the best in the world for quality. The paints are permanent, with the highest tinting strength and pigment concentration available, and a creamy consistency for smooth, easy dispersion with water.

close up of the colors mixing wet in wet in the foliage.Often I will add a drop of water on wet colors to help the colors move and mix and make abstract patterns.

To paint the trunks , I am masking the leaves that are overlapping on the trunk areas, so I can use a bigger brush and not worry to much about edges when painting the trunks.

I start painting an under-layer of bright colors, adding Alazarin Crimson and Phtalo blue to my color palette. Looking at my reference picture, I see where the light is more cold or warm and will choose the colors for the under-painting accordingly.

I then paint the trees trunks with a mix of burnt umber and burnt sienna, painting the bark texture. The under painting is still visible in some areas of the trunk texture.

I paint the boardwalk with a mix of burnt sienna and Phtalo blue, first on wet paper then on dry paper to add the textures.

Time to splash with plain water !

and a mix of white china gouache and watercolor. I am adding splashes and drips.

I let the colors mix until the paper is dry, removing only a few splashes that I want to take off, with a tissue paper.

Following your own path
Watercolor and gouache on paper mounted on board
30 x 30 inches

Prints available on Fine ArtAmerica