These were some of the initial sketches with 3 values applied. The value patterns show an overall mid with the lightest value at the center of interest and the darks creating the contrast at the center of interest. I was concentrating on creating interesting shapes and not "things".
I then created a more refined sketch. This helps me to get a better understanding of the shapes. I added some marker to some of the shadow areas. I try to keep thinking of shapes and not things.
I created some small (6"x8") initial color studies. These also helped me to loosen up a bit before I dove in.
I sketched the shapes in pencil on my watercolor paper, soaked the sheet with a sponge and applied the first loose washes of the mid values. I made sure that I did not paint the white or light areas.
After letting this wash dry, I was looking at the composition, and decided that I was not happy with it. The shape that bothered me the most was the large shape of the church split the paper exactly in half. I should have caught this at the sketch stage. Since this painting was to be used for our family Christmas card, I was pressed for time. I try to start the work on these holiday paintings early, but unfortunately this was a busy year and the time slipped by quickly. So I created another sketch that resolved the problems. I shifted the view which helped to create shadow shapes which I could use around the light value shapes. The church shape was set more to one side.
I created a more refined sketch to work on the composition a bit.
Here is the value pattern I will go with.
I roughed the shapes in pencil on my watercolor paper, soaked the entire sheet and applied the first loose mid washes.
I then added some dark shapes, using my value sketch as a guide.
Define more mid value and dark value shapes.
Reinforcing values and refining shapes.
More shape refining and a signature.
