Once again I was dissatisfied with a painting so I redid it. Then I redid it again.

I followed along with a YouTube video by Nano Art called “My Favorite Watercolor Trick for Painting Trees.” The “trick” is just using tape to mask off the trees, but it was helpful to me to have a guide to follow for washing in the background, adding leaves/branches/grass and shading/texturing the trees. None of this comes naturally to me yet.

I was happy with the trees and the autumn colors, but not the dark ground and fat grass at the tree bases. And what is up with that middle area? I was thinking of a forest floor but it does not read that way.

I was going to a watercolor painting group so I took this as my project. Mixed success. I like the colors, but it seems like leaves are flying through the air. I wish I’d remembered a bit of grass. Most of all, the trees seem a bit busy and mismatched; I like the third one the best.

I like this forest floor. The background, let’s say it has continuity issues, LOL; is that an aqua cloud moving through? I don’t know how I feel about busyness of the trees but I am pleased they look similar. Now I’m ready to put this aside.